IMD Warns Of Thunderstorms, Gusty Winds Across Odisha Till June 4

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to witness an extended spell of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds till June 4, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing orange and yellow alerts for several districts across the state.

The weather office has forecast intense thunderstorm activity during afternoon and evening hours over the next seven days, accompanied by squally winds reaching speeds of 40-60 kmph. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in some districts during the period.

For May 29, the IMD has issued an orange warning for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, warning of thunderstorms with lightning and strong gusty winds of up to 60 kmph. Keonjhar district is also likely to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places.

Several other districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh, have been placed under yellow warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph.

On May 30, orange alert has been sounded for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. Heavy rainfall is likely in Keonjhar, Angul, Deogarh and Sambalpur districts.

The IMD has also forecast severe thunderstorm activity on May 31 in Bargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts under orange warning. Heavy rainfall is likely in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur.

Besides thunderstorm activity, hot and humid weather conditions are expected to prevail at isolated places in coastal districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh.

On June 1, Gajapati and Ganjam districts are likely to experience thunderstorms with strong winds under orange warning, while yellow warnings for thunderstorms and gusty winds have been issued for several other districts.

Yellow warnings will continue from June 2 to June 4 for many districts across northern, coastal and southern Odisha, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds likely to persist during the period.

The IMD said the weather is expected to remain unstable till June 4 with frequent thundershowers across the state.

People have been advised to avoid venturing outdoors during thunderstorms, stay away from open fields, trees and electric poles, and follow safety advisories issued by local authorities.