Winter Chills: Odisha Shivers as Mercury Drops Across the State

Winter has firmly tightened its grip on Odisha, sending shivers across the state as temperatures plummeted significantly on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The latest data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar indicates that cold wave conditions have set in across isolated pockets, particularly affecting the interior districts.

Current Weather Scenario

According to the realized weather data for December 7, the hill station of G. Udayagiri recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state, dropping to a bone-chilling 4.4°C. On the plains, the steel city of Rourkela was the coldest, recording a low of 7.2°C.

The meteorological centre has highlighted that cold wave conditions are currently prevailing in the districts of Angul and Jharsuguda. Furthermore, residents in Rourkela, Phulbani, and Koraput woke up to dense fog, with visibility dropping between 50 to 200 meters, making morning commutes hazardous.

Twin Cities Feel the Chill

The coastal belt is not immune to the drop in mercury. The Twin Cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded minimum temperatures of 11.9°C and 11.8°C respectively, forcing residents to pull out their heavy woolens.

5-Day Forecast (December 8 - December 12)

Looking ahead, the IMD forecast suggests no immediate respite from the cold for the upcoming week.

• Day 1 (Dec 8): The cold intensity will peak in Rourkela with a forecast of 7°C. Phulbani and Jharsuguda are expected to hover around 8°C. Interior districts like Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Angul will see single-digit temperatures ranging from 9°C to 10°C.
• Day 2 (Dec 9): Conditions will remain largely similar. While Rourkela may see a slight rise to 8°C, the cold wave will persist in the western and interior belts. Coastal areas like Puri and Gopalpur will remain relatively warmer, with lows around 15°C to 17°C.
• Day 3 to Day 5 (Dec 10 - Dec 12): The forecast maps indicate a consistent pattern. Interior Odisha will remain under a "blue alert" of cold temperatures. By December 12, most northern and western districts, including Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Bargarh, will continue to experience night temperatures between 10°C and 12°C.

Advisory for Citizens

With dense fog warnings issued for Rourkela, Phulbani, and Koraput, and moderate fog in Bhawanipatna, drivers are advised to use fog lights and drive with extreme caution during early morning hours.

Residents in the cold wave zones of Angul and Jharsuguda, as well as the chilly highlands of Kandhamal, should take necessary precautions to stay warm, particularly the elderly and children, as the dry weather and low temperatures are expected to prevail throughout the week.