Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast a week-long spell of widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning across Odisha, warning that several districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next seven days, with Orange warnings issued for multiple districts on different days.
According to the IMD’s midday weather bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely over all districts during the forecast period, with rainfall activity expected to intensify from July 1 onwards. The weather office has advised people to remain alert as thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of up to 50 kmph are also expected in several parts of the state.
For the next 24 hours, Orange warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati districts, where thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph and heavy rainfall are likely at isolated places. Yellow warning has been issued for several other districts for thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 30-40 kmph.
On June 30-July 1, heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected over Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati, while widespread rainfall is likely across the state.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Bargarh, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur and Bolangir on July 1-2. On July 2-3, Mayurbhanj is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati may witness heavy rain.
The focus of heavy rainfall is expected to shift to southern Odisha thereafter. Orange warning has been issued for Koraput and Malkangiri on July 3-4, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati on July 4-5, and again for Koraput and Malkangiri on July 5-6. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam and several western Odisha districts on different days.
The weather office warned that heavy rainfall may trigger waterlogging in urban areas, localized flooding, reduced visibility, traffic disruptions, damage to kutcha roads and vulnerable structures, and possible landslides in susceptible areas. Inundation may also affect standing crops and horticulture, while some river catchments could experience a rise in water levels.
Thunderstorms and strong winds may damage plantations, banana crops, power and communication lines, besides causing minor damage to weak structures and houses, the IMD said.
People have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, stay away from water bodies and electrical conductors, unplug electronic appliances during lightning, and avoid travelling unless necessary. Motorists have also been advised to check traffic conditions before setting out and avoid waterlogged areas.
The IMD said there would be no significant change in the overall weather pattern during the subsequent three days after July 6. The weather bulletin also stated that there is no warning for fishermen along the Odisha coast during the next five days.
