Agency shivers as mercury dips to 9OC

Kothagudem: Agency areas of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district are reeling under severe cold wave-like as mercury levels fell below 10 degrees Centigrade. A minimum temperature of 9 degrees Celsius was recorded in Bhadrachalam on Wednesday.

On account of near-freezing temperatures, a low turnout of devotees was reported for the Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations that are underway at Bhadradri temple. While the minimum temperature recorded on December 15 was 16 degrees Celsius, they steadily dropped to 14 degrees on December 16, 13.4 degrees Celsius on December 17, 13 degrees Celsius on December 18 and to 12.2 degrees Celsius on December 19.

The lowest ever temperature in two decades, i.e., 9 degrees Celsius was recorded on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a thick blanket of fog enveloped Singareni mining areas in Kothagudem, Illandu and Manuguru and remained till 10 am daily, hampering mining operations. Visibility in remote Agency areas was poor till 10 am.

Further, the cold wave has claimed life of a woman in Karakagudem, which is the doorway to the Agency areas. The deceased was identified as Solam Peda Papamma of Sitaramapuram Colony of Karakagudem mandal.

By: PV Satyanarayana