Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow warnings for 17 districts in Odisha, including the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, effective until 5 PM on Tuesday.
According to the IMD, moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph are likely to impact parts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Gajapati districts over the next three hours. Residents in these areas are advised to take precautions as there is a risk of damage to loose or unsecured structures, banana plantations, and standing crops.
A similar weather pattern — including light to moderate thunderstorms, lightning, wind speeds of 30–40 kmph, and rainfall — may affect other districts such as Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Puri, Ganjam, and the urban areas of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Authorities have urged people in affected areas to stay indoors during thunderstorm activity to minimize the risk of lightning strikes.
These warnings come as a low-pressure area has developed over the northwest Bay of Bengal, just off the Odisha coast. The system is expected to move slowly northwards and intensify over the next 48 hours, potentially influencing weather conditions further.
