Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Yellow’ warning for several districts of Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph.
The warnings will remain in effect till June 26, with different regions expected to be affected on different days.
As per the IMD’s midday weather bulletin, on June 22, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, and Rayagada.
On June 23, the Yellow warning extends to Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts, with similar weather conditions predicted.
The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds for June 24 in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur.
On June 25, the department has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall at one or two places over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, and Bhadrak.
The warning continues into June 26, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall likely over isolated places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh districts.
The IMD has advised the public to remain alert and take necessary precautions during this period, especially in vulnerable areas prone to lightning strikes and strong winds.