Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a Red Warning for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, forecasting severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and strong winds reaching speeds of 60-70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph, during the next three hours.
According to a nowcast bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar at 4 pm, light to moderate rainfall coupled with thunderstorms and hail is very likely at one or two places in Khurda district, including Bhubaneswar city, and Cuttack district, including Cuttack city.
The Red Warning has also been issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Ganjam and Nayagarh districts, where similar weather conditions are expected during the next three hours.
The weather office warned that squally winds with speeds of 60-70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph, could cause damage to weak structures, uproot trees and disrupt traffic and power supply in vulnerable areas.
An Orange Warning has been issued for Sundargarh, Angul, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kandhamal and Gajapati districts. These districts are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and winds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, along with the possibility of hail at isolated places.
The IMD has advised people to remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions and move to safer locations during thunderstorms. Residents have been urged to avoid taking shelter under trees, stay away from electric poles and water bodies, and follow weather advisories issued by local authorities.
The latest warning comes amid increased thunderstorm activity across Odisha triggered by prevailing atmospheric conditions ahead of the advancement of the southwest monsoon.
