Coldest day for Simlipal as mercury dips to 3 degree Celsius

Baripada, Dec 19 (UNI) Mercury plummeted to a record three degree Celsius at Nawana, Jenabil, Upper-Barha-Kamuda (UBK), Debasthai, Patbil and Kandadhenu areas under Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) today.

STR Field Director Nagaraja Reddy said the area was frost bitten and had a snowy white look in the dawn.

Chahala, yet another beauty spot in the reserve recorded five degree Celsius, while Jashipur, the National Park headquarters recorded nine degree Celsius.

STR sources said the reserve experienced Tuesday as the coldest day of the season with the biting chill showing no signs of relenting.

The visitors presently inside the reserve preferred to spend their time near the fire-places available inside the forest rest houses to protect themselves from the chill.

Mercury plunged to 7.6 degree Celsius at Baripada, the district headquarters town of Mayurbhanj and Baripada emerged as one of the coldest place in the state.

With less crowd at market places, the streets in the town wore almost a deserted look, sources said.

UNI