Bhubaneswar, Jan 17: Odisha continues to reel under an intense cold wave, with bone-chilling temperatures triggering widespread distress across the state. G. Udayagiri recorded a historic low as the mercury plunged to 2.6 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in Odisha. As many as 14 towns reported night temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.

The severe cold is expected to persist through Saturday night. However, weather experts have indicated that a temporary respite may set in from Sunday due to the influence of a western disturbance, which is likely to push up night temperatures and ease the cold conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), minimum temperatures may rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next two days. On Saturday, minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 6 degrees Celsius in Phulbani, 7 degrees in Rourkela, 8 degrees in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Keonjhar, 9 degrees in Baripada, and around 10 degrees Celsius in Cuttack and Koraput.

Dense fog is likely to prevail at several places across the state till January 20. Night temperatures are currently significantly below normal, with Bhubaneswar recording 5 degrees below average, Angul 5.5 degrees, Cuttack 4.4 degrees, Baripada 4.2 degrees, Keonjhar 3.9 degrees, Chandbali and Koraput 3.6 degrees each, and Gopalpur 2.8 degrees below normal.

Jharsuguda has witnessed an extraordinary winter this season, breaking its 73-year-old cold record five times so far. The town recorded a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, which was 7.5 degrees below normal.