Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds (40-50 km/h), and hail in several parts of Odisha from February 19 to 22.
Affected districts include Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jajpur, and Dhenkanal. The IMD said a weather system is causing these conditions, with a trough passing from Jharkhand to south Odisha.
Forecast for February 20: Light to moderate rain or thunderstorms are expected in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur districts. Dry weather is expected in the rest of Odisha. The IMD has issued an orange warning for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore, with a yellow warning for Dhenkanal, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Cuttack.
Forecast for February 21: More thunderstorms are expected in parts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and other districts. The IMD has issued an orange warning for several districts, including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore, and a yellow warning for others.
Forecast for February 22: Thunderstorms may occur in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, while dry weather will prevail elsewhere in Odisha. A yellow warning has been issued for these districts.
Forecast for February 23 and 24: Similar weather conditions are expected with light rain or thunderstorms in some areas, especially in Balasore, Bhadrak, and other districts. Dry weather is likely in the remaining areas.
The IMD advises people to stay safe during thunderstorms, take shelter from lightning, and follow traffic advisories in urban areas. Farmers are urged to use hail nets to protect crops from hail damage.
