Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said the southwest monsoon has advanced further into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Andaman region, while forecasting widespread rain and thunderstorm activity across Odisha over the next several days.
According to the Midday Weather Bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, conditions are favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon into additional parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, Comorin area and east-central Bay of Bengal during the next three to four days. The IMD has also predicted that the monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 26, with a model error margin of plus or minus four days.
The weather office said light to moderate rainfall occurred at one or two places in Ganjam, Rayagada, Nayagarh and Mayurbhanj districts, while dry weather prevailed in the rest of Odisha. Sheragada, Madhabarida, Aska and Sankheimundi in Ganjam district each recorded 2 cm rainfall.
Boudh recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 42.9 degrees Celsius, while Rayagada registered the lowest minimum temperature at 22.6 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thunderstorms at one or two places in several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Koraput and Malkangiri during the next 24 hours.
A yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph in districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Koraput. Hot and humid conditions are also likely at isolated places in several coastal and adjoining districts.
For May 20 and 21, the IMD has issued orange warnings for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph.
The weather office warned that strong winds may cause damage to plantations, horticulture and standing crops, particularly banana and ripe paddy crops. Minor damage to kutcha houses, huts and unsecured structures is also possible.
People have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorm activity, avoid taking shelter under trees, unplug electrical appliances and stay away from water bodies and conductive objects.
The IMD said there will be no large change in maximum temperatures over Odisha during the next two days, followed by a gradual rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius during the subsequent five days.
