Bhubaneswar, Jan. 8 -- Bhubaneswar witnessed its coldest January day in the last seven years on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature plunging to 10.2 degrees Celsius, marking a sharp departure from normal winter conditions in the capital city.

According to sources, the mercury dipped nearly 5 degree Celsius below the seasonal average, underscoring the intensity of the prevailing cold wave across Odisha.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) records, the last time the city experienced a colder January night was on January 1, 2019, when the minimum temperature had dropped to 9.5 degrees Celsius.

The capital was not alone in facing the severe chill. At least 23 places across the state, including Cuttack, recorded minimum tem...