Cold wave grips interior Mayurbhanj and Phulbani

Bhubaneswar, Jan 4 (UNI) Interiormost regions of Mayurbhanj and Phulbani continued to shiver under cold wave conditions as mercury plummeted to a record low in these areas for the past few days.

The temperature at UBK (Upper-Barha-Kamuda), Debasthali, Patbil and Kandadhenu the interiormost regions of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) recorded three degree Celsius on Wednesday night.

Nawana and Jenabil also experienced severe chill with the mercury dipping to four degree Celsius, while Chahala, another important tourist centre in the reserve, recorded five degree Celsius, according to Field Director of the Reserve-cum-Conservator of Forests, Baripada Circle, R Nagaraja Reddy.

He said the grasslands and green vegetations at all the above places were covered with frosts and resembled a snowy white look.

Severe cold wave condition also gripped Baripada, the district headquarters of Mayurbhanj with the mercury plummeting to 7.4 degree Celsius on Wednesday night.

Braving the severe chill, at least 67 vehicles carrying 335 visitors thronged the tourism zone of the STR on the New Year's day, reserve's sources said.

After Myurbhanja, Phulbani was recorded to be the coolest place in the state with the temperature dropped to seven degree Celsius followed by Keonjhar 9.9 degree Celsius.

In other places the temperature hovered between 10 to 18 degree Celsius today.

Meanwhile, the local weather office today predicted that the minimum temperature would be around 13 degree Celsius tomorrow.

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