Intermittent rains along with chilly weather due to the effect of a low pressure formed over the Sri lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts dampened mood of New Year revellers, who had planned to celebrate the day outside their homes.
On the New Year day, people generally visit new places like picnic spots, religious sites and tourist centres in the State and outside, but several outdoor party planners have changed their ideas at the last moment. The inclement weather forced the revellers to go for indoor celebrations. “I had planned to visit Chilika with my friends but changed the idea. Now, we are planning to celebrate the day in our home,” said Sagar Kumar Bhuyan, a content writer based in Bhubaneswar.
However, the inhospitable weather didn’t stop some youths who dare to go out on the occasion with their friends. Meanwhile, the western Odisha city Sambalpur, which is going through a bad time because of spread of jaundice, will not celebrate the New Year this time. “When our people are suffering from a deadly disease and are struggling for clean water, how can we celebrate the day with loads of fun,” said a youth from Sambalpur.
Notably, the jaundice outbreak has already claimed 19 lives as per official figures.