Bhubaneswar: After experiencing a severe heatwave for the past few days, Odisha is expected to receive some relief in the form of thunderstorms and rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a possibility of thunderstorms and rainfall in the state over the next week. The regional weather office has issued a series of warnings for Odisha, predicting thunderstorms and hailstorms in various districts from April 2 to 5.
Due to Kala Baishakhi which is characterized by thunderstorms and rainfall, the temperature in Odisha districts is expected to dip. The IMD has predicted that the entire state will experience thunderstorms and rainfall over the next week, bringing much-needed relief from the heatwave.
Going by IMD prediction, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface wind speeds of 30-40 kmph are likely to occur in one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, Boudh, and Gajapati on April 2.
A yellow warning has been issued for April 3, predicting thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface wind speeds of 40-50 kmph in one or two places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Angul, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangapur, and Koraput.
On April 4, thunderstorms with lightning, gusty surface wind speeds of 50-60 kmph, and hailstorms are very likely to occur in one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface wind speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely to occur in Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, and Malkangiri.
For April 5, the regional weather office has issued a yellow warning predicting thunderstorms with lightning, gusty surface wind speeds of 50-60 kmph, and hailstorms in one or two places over the districts of Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Angul, Rayagada, Koraput, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface wind speeds of 40-50 kmph are very likely to occur in Boudh, Kandhamal, and Dhenkanal.
In view of the impending thunderstorms, hailstorms, and rainfall expected to lash Odisha till April 5, the Special Relief Commissioner has issued the following instructions to District Collectors:
- Districts under yellow warning are advised to keep administrative machinery ready to face any eventuality.
- People may be advised to keep a watch on weather updates and take safe shelter during thunderstorm activity to protect themselves from lightning.
- Harvesting of crops may be regulated judiciously, and farmers are advised to use nail nets to protect vegetables and crops from hail.
- A report on the damage, if occurred due to thunderstorm, whirlwind, hailstorm, lightning, and rainfall, should be submitted immediately for information of the government.
