Bhubaneswar: Odisha will witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across most parts of Odisha for the next five days, according to the prediction made by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD has issued yellow warnings for the period from May 8 to May 12, forecasting thunderstorms of varying intensity during the afternoon and evening hours.
As per the prediction, strong thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph are very likely at one or two places over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Bargarh, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh and Balangir districts on May 8. Besides, moderate thunderstorms with winds of 30-40 kmph are expected over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.
On May 9, severe thunderstorms with winds up to 40-50 kmph are likely over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundergarh, Ganjam and Gajapati, while moderate thunderstorms (30-40 kmph) are forecast over Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.
On May 10, strong thunderstorms (40-50 kmph) will affect Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam and Gajapati, with moderate activity expected over Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nabarangapur.
On May 11 (Sunday), thunderstorms with winds of 40-50 kmph are likely over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundergarh, Ganjam and Gajapati, while moderate thunderstorms (30-40 kmph) are expected over Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangapur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Boudh.
On May 12 (Monday), severe thunderstorms (40-50 kmph) are likely over Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, with moderate thunderstorms (30-40 kmph) forecast over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.
The IMD has advised people to remain alert and take necessary precautions during the afternoon and evening hours. Residents are urged to avoid open fields, tall trees, water bodies, and metallic structures when thunderstorms approach. Farmers and outdoor workers have been asked to stay safe. The public is requested to follow official weather updates from IMD for any changes in the warnings.
