Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has sounded an alert across multiple districts following a yellow warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning activity accompanied by gusty winds up to 40 kmph over the next five days.
According to a special advisory issued by the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), all district collectors have been instructed to keep administrative machinery on standby to address any potential exigency.
The advisory emphasises public safety, urging citizens to avoid vulnerable areas and take shelter during thunderstorms.
Weather Forecast Highlights:
Day 1 (July 12–13): Light to moderate rainfall is expected across Odisha, with yellow warnings for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds in over 25 districts, which include Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur & Kendrapara, Cuttack Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur & Deogarh, Angui, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir
Day 2 (July 13–14): Heavy rainfall forecast for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore, among others, along with thunderstorm alerts for western and coastal districts.
Day 3 (July 14–15): Continued warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms across Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh.
Day 4 (July 15–16): Widespread rainfall with thunderstorm warnings for districts including Malkangiri, Koraput, and Jagatsinghpur.
Day 5 (July 16–17): Thunderstorm and lightning activity to persist, particularly in southern and western Odisha districts.
Rainfall has already been recorded in several interior districts, with Ranpur (Nayagarh) receiving 6 cm, and Banki (Cuttack), Bolagarh (Khurda), and Tiring (Mayurbhanj) each receiving 5 cm in the past 24 hours.
The IMD has stated that no warnings are currently in place for fishermen along the Odisha coast.
Advisory Measures:
The public is advised to monitor weather updates and seek safe shelter during thunderstorms.
Avoidance of waterlogged areas is strongly recommended.
Immediate reporting of any lightning, heavy rain, or flood-related damage has been mandated for administrative response.
As monsoon systems continue to influence the region, the government has assured that it remains vigilant and prepared to deal with any potential disruptions caused by the evolving weather pattern.
