Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said conditions are favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Odisha during the next two to three days, while issuing Orange Warnings for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several districts of the state.
According to the Midday Weather Bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, light to moderate rain or thundershowers occurred at a few places in Odisha during the past 24 hours, with heavy rainfall recorded at isolated locations in Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Balasore and Nabarangpur districts.
Ghasipura in Keonjhar district recorded the highest rainfall of 10 cm, followed by Anandpur (9 cm), Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal (8 cm), and several other locations receiving between 4 cm and 7 cm of rain.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thunderstorms at many places across Odisha till Saturday morning. An Orange Warning has been issued for Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur and Cuttack districts, where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph are likely at isolated places.
Heavy rainfall is also expected at one or two places in Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts during the next 24 hours.
For the subsequent 24 hours, the Orange Warning will continue for several coastal and southern districts, with heavy rainfall likely over Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati districts.
The weather office warned that strong winds and intense rainfall may cause damage to plantations, horticultural crops, banana trees, power and communication lines, besides triggering waterlogging in low-lying urban areas and disrupting road traffic. People have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees and follow official weather and traffic advisories.
Despite the rainfall activity, temperatures remained above normal in several parts of the state. Jharsuguda recorded the highest maximum temperature at 42.5 degrees Celsius, while Kendrapara registered the lowest minimum temperature at 20.6 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has forecast a gradual fall of 2-3 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures over the next four days, bringing some relief from the prevailing heat.
Meanwhile, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the North Odisha coast on June 12 and 13 due to squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, and rough to very rough sea conditions.
The weather office said rainfall and thunderstorm activity is likely to continue across Odisha over the coming week, with no significant change expected in the overall weather pattern thereafter.
