BHUBANESWAR: Winter appears to be getting its grip stronger over Odisha as temperature - both maximum and minimum - fell across the State on Sunday. The little hill town of Phulbani, which emerged the coldest place in the State with night temperature reading 5 degree Celsius, was not far behind Haryana’s Narnaul that recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 4 degree C in India.
Daringibadi, another small town in Kandhamal which records very low temperature, reported 6.4 degree Celsius on the day. The two places reported at least two degree fall in the night temperature.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, minimum temperature remained at least 1.6 degree C to 3 degree C below normal at many places over Odisha. Similarly, maximum temperature was below normal at many places in the State. While Malkangiri was the hottest place in the State, Phubani was the coldest. In western and central districts, the temperature remained almost constant. Capital City Bhubabneswar which reported 13.9 degree Celsius on Saturday, recorded 12.7 degree C on Sunday. The night temperature is about two degree below normal, the weather office said.
The weather office said, the conditions will remain unchanged for next one week. With days remaining dry and sunny, the nights will remain cold. Since north and north-western States are experiencing chilly condition, its impact will be felt in the State though there will be no significant drop in the temperature pattern.
Private forecaster Skymet said, dry weather is expected to prevail over Odisha and between December 19 and 20, some parts of southern Odisha may experience cloudy conditions too. Marginal fall in the temperature is expected during the week. While the maximum temperature in the State will be in the range of 26 degree to 30 degree, the minimum temperature will vary between 8 degree and 17 degree Celsius.