Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a spell of unsettled weather across Odisha over the coming week, with light to moderate rainfall expected in most parts of the state. The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, in its midday bulletin issued on Thursday, has also issued Yellow Warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall in several districts through July 24.
For the next 24 hours (till 8:30 AM on July 18), light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely at a few places in interior districts and at isolated locations in coastal Odisha. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are expected in districts including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and several others.
Similar weather conditions are predicted for July 18–19, with Yellow Warnings repeating for the same set of districts.
On July 19–20, the intensity of weather activity is likely to increase. IMD has warned of heavy rainfall combined with thunderstorms and gusty winds in Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Gajapati. A broader warning for thunderstorm activity continues for districts across western, southern, and central Odisha.
The alerts extend into July 20–22, with forecasts of heavy rain in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Koraput, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal, among others. Thunderstorms and lightning, along with gusty surface winds, are expected in regions including Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, and interior belts like Balangir and Nuapada.
The IMD has also issued blanket warnings for heavy rainfall at isolated places across the state on July 22 and 23. During this period, widespread light to moderate rain is expected across Odisha.
The Meteorological Centre has advised people to remain alert and take precautions, especially in areas prone to lightning and strong surface winds. Farmers, too, have been urged to take measures to protect standing crops and harvested produce, especially in districts likely to receive heavy rain.
The weather pattern suggests an active monsoon phase over the region, which could be beneficial in addressing the rainfall deficit recorded in parts of the state earlier this season.
