Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Warning for several parts of Odisha on June 17, forecasting intense thunderstorm activity over the next few days.
According to the IMD, on June 17, thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 50-60 kmph is very likely to occur at one or two places over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh districts. These districts have been issued orange warning.
Besides, yellow warnings for thunderstorms and hot & humid conditions have also been issued for the remaining districts, with heat wave conditions likely in isolated pockets over Jharsuguda and Sambalpur.
On June 18, yellow warning for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) has been issued for most districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and several others. Thunderstorms with relatively lower wind speed (30-40 kmph) are likely over Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul and Dhenkanal. Heat wave conditions are expected to prevail in isolated pockets over Jharsuguda and Sambalpur, while hot and humid conditions will continue in coastal and southern districts.
On June 19, thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are likely over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and several other districts. Lower intensity thunderstorms are expected over western and northern districts. Hot and humid conditions will prevail at isolated places, mainly in the coastal region.
The IMD has also issued yellow warnings for June 20 and 21, predicting thunderstorm activity with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) across almost all districts of the state. Hot and humid conditions are likely to continue, particularly in the coastal districts during this period.
“Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty surface wind (wind speed reaching upto 40-50 kmph) is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh”, read the IMD’s forecast for June 20.
IMD’s forecast for the same day further read: Hot and humid conditions very likely to prevail at isolated places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh.
For June 21, IMD’s prediction reads: “Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty surface wind (wind speed reaching upto 40-50 kmph) very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh.”
Additionally, hot and humid conditions is very likely to prevail at isolated places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh on June 21.
The regional weather department has advised people to remain alert, especially during the thunderstorm activity. Farmers, fishermen, and those engaged in outdoor activities have been asked to take necessary precautions. Strong winds may cause damage to kutcha houses, standing crops, and electric infrastructure.
People are advised to avoid going outdoors during thunderstorms, stay hydrated, and remain indoors as much as possible.
