Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Yellow Warnings for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds across a wide stretch of Odisha, cautioning residents and farmers to stay alert as unstable weather conditions persist due to a well-marked low-pressure system over eastern India.
According to the IMD’s midday weather bulletin, the low-pressure area hovering over southwest Bihar and adjoining east Uttar Pradesh, along with an associated cyclonic circulation, continues to influence weather patterns across Odisha. The monsoon trough extending through this system has intensified rainfall activity and thunderstorm risks in several districts.
Day-wise District-Wise Yellow Warnings:
Day 1 (Till 8:30 AM, July 17):
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are very likely at one or two places in Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh.
Day 2 & 3 (July 17–19):
The same warning is extended to Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and the previously listed districts, indicating widespread vulnerability to lightning and sudden wind gusts.
Day 4 & 5 (July 19–21):
Warnings persist for coastal and interior districts, including Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati, along with earlier districts—marking a near-statewide alert zone.
Day 6 & 7 (July 21–23):
The IMD escalates its alert, forecasting isolated heavy rainfall in addition to thunderstorms and lightning, likely to impact several districts across the state.
The IMD has urged citizens, especially those in rural and agricultural areas, to avoid open fields, tall structures, and isolated trees during storms. Farmers are advised to safeguard equipment and livestock, and avoid working in exposed environments during thunderstorm warnings.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected in many parts of North Odisha and a few areas of South Odisha in the next 24 hours. Bhubaneswar is likely to see a generally cloudy sky with occasional spells of rain or thundershower, with temperatures ranging between 34°C and 25°C.
With active monsoon conditions and weather instability expected to persist, authorities are advising local administrations and the public to remain prepared and monitor advisories closely.
