Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an Orange Warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in seven districts of Odisha and forecast widespread rain and thunderstorm activity across the state over the next several days.
According to the Midday Weather Bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are very likely to occur at one or two places in Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts till Thursday morning.
The IMD has also issued a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph over Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Bolangir, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Koraput districts. Gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated places in Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts.
Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada and Koraput districts during the next 24 hours.
The weather office forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places over coastal and southern districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri, among others.
For June 25-26, the Orange Warning shifts to Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, where thunderstorms with lightning are expected. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in these districts.
Thunderstorm activity is expected to continue across much of the state through June 28, with Yellow Warnings remaining in force for several districts. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Nuapada, Bolangir and Kalahandi on June 26-27; Koraput and Malkangiri on June 27-28; and Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati on June 28-29.
The IMD has cautioned that thunderstorms and gusty winds may cause damage to banana plantations, power and communication lines, loose structures, kutcha houses and huts. People have been advised to take shelter in safe buildings, avoid standing under trees, stay away from water bodies and electrical conductors, and unplug electronic appliances during thunderstorms.
The weather office has also issued a marine warning for the Odisha coast. Squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, is likely along and off the coast on June 24 and 25. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough, and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during the period.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon has advanced further into parts of central and western India, and conditions remain favourable for its further progress over the coming days. The IMD said there will be no large change in maximum temperatures across Odisha during the next six to seven days.
