Bhubaneswar: Even as several parts of Odisha continue to reel under hot and humid weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and heavy rainfall across the state over the next four days, while warning that heatwave conditions may persist in some districts till June 10.
The weather office on Saturday issued Orange and Yellow alerts for multiple districts, indicating the likelihood of severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and strong surface winds, particularly during afternoon and evening hours.
Under the Orange Warning, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph and heavy rainfall at one or two places. Similar wind speeds are also expected in Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nabarangpur districts.
A Yellow Warning has been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts, where thunderstorms with lightning and winds of 40-50 kmph are likely. Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Sonepur districts may witness thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching 30-40 kmph.
Besides the thunderstorm activity, the IMD has warned of heatwave conditions at isolated places in Koraput and Khurda districts. Warm night conditions are likely to prevail in Balangir, while hot and humid weather may continue in several coastal and adjoining districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Nayagarh.
The IMD has advised residents to remain vigilant during thunderstorm activity, avoid taking shelter under trees, and stay indoors whenever possible during lightning strikes.
