PHULBANI: Normal life across Kandhamal district was affected severely with mercury level plummeting to 5 degrees Celsius, the lowest of the season so far, on Sunday. The cold wave paralysed life in Phulbani, G Udayagiri, Baliguda, Daringibadi, Kotagarh and Tumudibandha blocks. Daringibadi recorded a low of 6 degrees Celsius. The intense cold compelled people to stay indoors after sunset. At many places, people were seen sitting around bonfire to keep themselves warm. Snowfall is expected at Belghar and Daringibadi in the next two days where night temperature has been gradually falling for the last three days, an official at the weather observatory said.
There was a thin layer of snowfall in Belghar and Daringibadi areas in the last week of December last year, the officials added.
Meanwhile, tourists from across the country have started to pour in to witness the blissful scenario in these tourist spots.