Bhubaneswar: The Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, on Saturday issued a Red Nowcast Warning for six districts of Odisha, forecasting severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning, hail and strong winds over the next three hours.
According to the weather office, thunderstorm with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and wind speeds of 60-70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph, are very likely to continue at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Cuttack, including Cuttack city, Khurda, including Bhubaneswar city, and Nayagarh districts.
The Meteorological Centre advised residents in the affected areas to take immediate precautions and move to safer locations to protect themselves from possible lightning strikes and strong winds.
An Orange Nowcast Warning has also been issued for Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. These areas are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rain and wind speeds of 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, with the possibility of hail at isolated places during the same period.
The weather office has urged people across the warned districts to keep a close watch on changing weather conditions and remain prepared for any deterioration in the situation.
The nowcast warning was issued at 4.15 pm IST by the Duty Officer of the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar.
