SAMBALPUR: New Year celebration was a lacklustre affair in Sambalpur owing to the jaundice outbreak and intermittent rain. While 26 fresh cases of jaundice were reported from Sambalpur Hospital on Thursday, people preferred to remain indoors and hotels and parks wore a deserted look due to the rain. Many of the clubs in the town cancelled their New Year parties and people stayed away from picnic spots. People, though, thronged the Samaleswari temple to seek blessings of the Goddess. Earlier, the administration has decided to suspend Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav that was scheduled to commence from January 4. Following a meeting with Chief Secretary GC Pati, Collector Balwant Singh had announced that the local cultural festival will be put on hold since a large congregation could lead to worsening of the situation in the town and its neighbourhood.