G Udayagiri shivers at 7C

Berhampur: The cold wave continued to sweep across Kandhamal district, as temperatures plummeted further in several places on Friday.G Udayagiri, a hill town, was the coldest place with night temperature of 7 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Minimum temperature of Phulbani and Daringbadi was recorded at 8.2C and 7.5C, respectively, sources said.Interior areas like Bramhanigaon, Kotagarh, Belaghara, Raikia and Phiringia are also experiencing severe cold conditions.“We can’t come out of the house till 9 am,” said Sadasiba Patra, a resident of Phulbani. Most of the tribal people, who collect minor forest products, could not venture out due to cold and foggy morning.

People in several places, especially in G Udayagiri and Daringbadi, were seen sitting around bonfires to keep themselves warm. “Except some morning walkers, people did not venture out,” said A K Sahu, a resident of Daringbadi.The district administration has rescued some homeless people and housed them in night shelters in urban areas, official sources said.Cold winds from the northwest and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh as well as sunny weather are some of the reasons for the sudden dip in mercury levels in several places in the state, including Kandhamal, weather experts said.