Bhubaneswar: Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at a few places across Odisha over the next 24 hours, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of up to 30-40 kmph in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.
The IMD, in its midday weather bulletin issued on Thursday, said light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places across several districts on Friday, with heavy rainfall likely at one or two places in Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also likely at isolated places in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
The weather office has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places in several districts on August 22, with isolated heavy rainfall likely in Baleshwar, Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. A Yellow Warning has also been issued for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in several coastal, northern and southern districts.
For August 23, the IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sundaragada, Debagada, Anugola and Dhenkanal, while thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected in several districts.
The weather office has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places across Odisha on August 24, with a Yellow Warning for heavy rainfall in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Similar conditions are likely to continue over the subsequent days, with isolated heavy rainfall warnings for Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 25, and Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 26.
The IMD said there is no large change expected in the weather pattern between August 27 and 30.
The forecast comes as the southwest monsoon remained weak over Odisha on Thursday. Light to moderate rainfall was recorded at a few places, with Akhuapada in Bhadrak receiving the highest rainfall of 6 cm, followed by Bhandaripokhari with 5 cm. Nilgiri, Begunia, Hatadihi and Ranpur recorded 3 cm each.
The highest maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius was recorded at Bhadrak, while the lowest minimum temperature of 18.7 degrees Celsius was recorded at Boudh, the bulletin said.
The IMD cautioned that heavy rainfall could lead to localised flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, closure of underpasses, traffic disruption, reduced visibility, minor damage to kutcha roads and vulnerable structures, as well as possible landslides and damage to standing crops. It advised people to check traffic conditions, follow advisories and avoid waterlogged areas and vulnerable structures.
For Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, the IMD forecast a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain around 34 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively.
No weather warning has been issued for fishermen along the Odisha coast for the five-day period from August 20 to 24, according to the bulletin.
