Bhubaneswar: Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms affected several parts of Odisha on Thursday, with heavy rainfall recorded at isolated places in Bhadrak district, the India Meteorological Department said in its midday bulletin.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, an upper air cyclonic circulation persists over south Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level, influencing the prevailing weather conditions across the state.
Rainfall activity was reported at a few places in coastal districts and isolated pockets of interior Odisha. Dhamnagar in Bhadrak recorded the highest rainfall at 8 cm, followed by Hatadihi (6 cm) in Keonjhar and Korei (5 cm) in Jajpur. Several other locations across Bhadrak, Jajpur, Balasore, Ganjam and Rayagada also received moderate precipitation.
Severe thunderstorm activity has reportedly led to two casualties each in Nayagarh and Balasore districts, while seven cattle deaths were reported in Nayagarh. Hailstorm incidents were recorded in Bhadrak, and similar conditions accompanied by gusty winds were reported in parts of Jajpur district.
Day temperatures witnessed an appreciable fall of 2–3°C at isolated places, remaining below normal in parts of interior Odisha. The highest maximum temperature of 38.0°C was recorded at Sonepur, while Rayagada recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 18.0°C.
The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for thunderstorm activity with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph at isolated places in Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts till Friday morning. A Yellow Warning has also been issued for several other districts, including Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Gajapati and Ganjam, with similar conditions likely.
Light to moderate rain or thundershower activity is expected to continue across many districts over the next three days, with thunderstorm warnings persisting in parts of northern and coastal Odisha.
For Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, the forecast indicates a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of thunderstorms. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 36°C and 24°C respectively over the next 24 hours.
The IMD has advised people to remain alert, avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms, and stay indoors where possible to minimise risks from lightning and strong winds.
