Intense cold wave grips Odisha, Himachal Pradesh

Bhubaneshwar: Most parts of Odisha have come under the grip of intense cold wave with the mercury plummeting to 4 degree celsius on Tuesday at Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, making it the coldest place in the state.

The regional meteorology centre in Bhubaneswar said, the only other place to have dipped below five degrees was Phulbani which stood at 4.6 degree Celsius.

Temperatures at as many as 10 towns of the state were recorded below 10 degrees Celsius.

Reports of fish and birds being found dead due to intense cold were received from different parts, particularly from the high-altitude areas of the region.

The local meteorology office said, the cold wave conditions will continue for the next 48 hours and Daringibadi is expected to receive light snowfall.

Meanwhile, the intense cold wave sweeping the hills and valleys of Himachal Pradesh continued unabated.

The mercury stayed below normal and hovered at freezing point at many places.

The high altitude tribal areas are reeling under biting cold wave conditions with minimum temperatures staying between minus eight to minus 15 degrees.

The local met office has forecast dry weather till Sunday with marginal fluctuation in temperature.

The continued dry spell is causing anxiety to farmers as rain deficit from October to December was recorded about 93 percent with most of the districts recording deficit over 90 percent.

This deficit is about 99 percent in tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti and Hamirpur district.Kullu, Kangra and Kinnaur districts recorded rain deficit in between 91 to 97 percent while it is 82 to 88 percent in remaining five districts of the state.

This dry spell has also disappointed the tourists at different tourist`s spots as there is no white snow blanket on hills.