Similipal reaches freezing point; Koida, Tensa receive snowfall
Baripada/Tensa: The mercury plummeted to zero degrees Celsius in Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district – a drop of eight degrees in the past 48 hours, officials said on Wednesday, as snowfall occurred in the Koida and Tensa areas of Sundargarh.
According to Prakash Chand Gogineni, Field Director of Simlipal Tiger Reserve and Chief Conservator of Forests, Baripada Circle, the lowest temperature was recorded in the Upper Barakamuda area of Simlipal Tiger Reserve. The sharp drop in temperature has intensified the cold in the core and fringe areas of Simlipal, as well as the entire district. The continuous drop in temperature and cold northerly winds throughout the day have brought bone-chilling cold to the region, disrupting everyday life.
There are concerns that the extreme cold could affect wild animals, while domestic animals are already suffering. Officials said the district is experiencing the effects of climate change and environmental degradation year-round. Baripada is one of the hottest cities in the summer, but this year the region experienced continuous rainfall for nearly six months. In winter, minimum temperatures in urban areas have dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, while Similipal now experiences freezing conditions.
Environmentalists attribute this worsening situation to deforestation and mining activities, which are impacting the local climate and normal life.
On Wednesday, winds blew from the north at a speed of around 14 kmph, further intensifying the cold. Across the district, people are braving the cold by wearing heavy woolen clothing around the clock and lighting fires to stay warm in the evenings.
Minimum temperatures are reported to be around 9 degrees Celsius in most of the district’s 26 blocks.
Meanwhile, a drop in night temperatures has led to frost in many areas of the mining areas of Sundargarh district. The mercury dropped to around 2 degrees Celsius in Tensa, while the temperature in Koira was recorded below 6 degrees Celsius.
The temperature near the Jindal Mines area in Tantrara hovered around 5 degrees Celsius, while Tensa recorded around 7 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures in parts of Koira ranged between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius. Snow covered areas in Kalta, Kusumundi, Tensa, Jindal Colony, playgrounds, and parked vehicles.
The cold has intensified over the past three days, leaving people suffering from the harsh winter. Frost at night has caused significant inconvenience.
The streets are mostly deserted after 7 pm and until around 9 am, and shops close by 8 pm.
