Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds across several districts of Odisha till April 10, warning of wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph during afternoon and evening hours.
According to the IMD’s midday bulletin, light to moderate rain or thunderstorms are likely at one or two places across all districts of the state over the next few days.
On April 6, an orange alert has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Bhadrak districts, where thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 50–60 kmph are likely at isolated places. A yellow alert has been sounded for several other districts, including Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Nuapada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh and Keonjhar, with wind speeds expected to reach 40–50 kmph.
Meanwhile, districts such as Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Angul, Boudh, Rayagada and Dhenkanal are likely to experience thunderstorms with relatively lower wind speeds of 30–40 kmph on the same day.
On April 7, a yellow alert has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts.
The weather is expected to intensify again on April 8, with an orange alert in place for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore and Bhadrak. A yellow alert has been issued for Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Dhenkanal and Rayagada.
On April 9, the IMD has again issued an orange alert for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore and Bhadrak, while yellow warnings remain in force for Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Angul, Dhenkanal and Sundargarh.
For April 10, a yellow alert has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts.
The IMD has advised residents to remain alert during thunderstorm activity, avoid taking shelter under trees, and stay indoors during lightning and strong winds.
