IMD Issues Yellow Warning for Heat Wave in 11 Odisha Districts

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department’s regional centre in Bhubaneswar has raised concerns over heat wave conditions in 11 districts of Odisha, prompting a yellow warning for the next three days beginning Thursday.

The districts under the yellow warning are Nayagarh, Boudh, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Dhenkanal.

In an official statement, the IMD attributed the impending heat wave to prevailing mainly Northwesterly/Westerly dry air and high solar insolation. It predicted that maximum temperatures (day temperature) would soar above 40°C at many places across Odisha and could surpass normal levels by 3 to 5°C over the mentioned districts until the 6th of the month.

In light of the forecast, the IMD has issued a cautionary advisory, urging residents to exercise precautionary measures while venturing outdoors during the daytime, particularly between 11 am to 3 pm.

Heat waves pose a significant risk to public health, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Authorities recommend staying hydrated, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours to mitigate the impact of high temperatures.