Bhubaneswar: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a yellow alert for Odisha, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds from February 23 to 25, 2026. The alert comes as a well-marked low-pressure area persists over the southwest Bay of Bengal, with associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.
According to the IMD’s mid-day bulletin, isolated thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 30–40 km/h are likely over Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak on February 23 and 24. Light rain or thunderstorms may occur at one or two places in Sundergarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Khordha, Puri, Keonjhar, Jajpur, and Kalahandi, while the rest of the state is expected to remain dry during this period.
On February 25, the IMD forecasts isolated thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds over Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, and Cuttack, with light rain or thunderstorms possible at one or two places in Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Khordha, and Puri. Dry weather is expected across the remaining districts.
The IMD has urged residents to exercise caution during this period, particularly in open areas, and to stay updated with weather advisories. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, while travellers and commuters are cautioned about possible disruptions due to strong winds and heavy rain.
