Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intense thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and strong gusty winds across Odisha over the next seven days. Orange and yellow alerts have been issued for several districts from May 29 to June 4.
According to the latest weather bulletin of the India Meteorological Department, squally thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching 40-60 kmph are likely during afternoon and evening hours on most days, with the possibility of heavy rainfall in some districts.
May 29 (Day 1):
Orange alert has been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj districts for thunderstorms with gusty winds (50-60 kmph). Heavy rainfall is also likely at one or two places in Keonjhar.
“Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty surface wind (wind speed reaching upto 40-50 kmph) very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nawrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh”, read IMD’s forecast for the same period. These districts have been issued yellow alert.
May 30 (Day 2):
Orange alert has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj. These districts are likely to face thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty surface wind. Besides, heavy rainfall is expected in Keonjhar, Angul, Deogarh, and Sambalpur.
May 31 (Day 3):
Orange alert has been issued for Bargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur districts. Heavy rainfall likely in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur.
“Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty surface wind (wind speed reaching upto 40-50 kmph) very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nawrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh. Additionally, hot and humid conditions very likely to prevail at isolated places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh”, read IMD’s forecast. These districts are under yellow alert.
June 1 (Day 4):
Orange alert has been issued for Gajapati and Ganjam districts for thunderstorms with strong winds. That apart, yellow alert has been issued for thunderstorms and gusty winds have also been issued for most other districts on all these days. Moreover, hot and humid conditions are likely to prevail at many places, particularly in coastal districts.
June 2 (Day 5):
Yellow alert has been issued for thunderstorms with gusty winds (40-50 kmph) over most districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and southern districts.
June 3 (Day 6):
Yellow alert has been issued for thunderstorms and gusty winds over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and several southern districts.
June 4 (Day 7):
Yellow alert for thunderstorms with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph at one or two places over several districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and southern Odisha districts.
Hot and humid conditions are also likely to prevail at many places, especially in coastal and southern districts during this period.
The weather is expected to remain unstable with frequent thundershowers till June 4.
The IMD has advised people to avoid going out during thunderstorms and lightning and staying away from open fields, trees, and electric poles. Moreover, people living in vulnerable areas are advised to remain alert and follow safety guidelines issued by the local administration.
