As a relentless cold wave tightens its grip on Odisha, authorities have moved to protect students from the plunging temperatures and blinding fog. Cuttack District Magistrate Dattatray Bhausaheb Shinde has officially revised school timings, ordering all institutions to operate from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays until further notice.
The decision comes as the state capital, Bhubaneswar, recorded its coldest morning of the season today, with the mercury dropping to a shivering 10.2°C. Coastal districts are witnessing a significant temperature dip, prompting the IMD to issue a severe weather warning across several regions.
Beyond the chill, the timing adjustment also accounts for the dense morning fog and the ongoing examination season. Residents are advised to brace for continued frigid conditions, as the meteorological department predicts the cold wave will persist across the coastal belt for the coming days.