Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a seven-day weather forecast for Odisha, warning of rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hot and humid conditions in several districts between May 5 and May 12.
On May 5, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in the afternoon or evening in parts of Coastal Odisha, along with districts like Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nawarangapur.
The IMD has issued a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds reaching 30 to 40 kmph in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nawarangapur, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Sambalpur.
Between May 6 and 7, similar weather is expected across Odisha. Thunderstorms with lightning and stronger winds of 40 to 50 kmph are likely in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar.
Another Yellow Warning is in place for thunderstorms with winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Nawarangapur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Angul, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, and Sundargarh.
From May 7 to 10, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places mainly in southern Odisha including Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nawarangapur, Ganjam, and Kalahandi.
Dry weather is likely in the rest of the state. During this period, hot and humid conditions are expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.
On May 10, isolated rainfall may occur in parts of western Odisha including Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal. On May 11, the rain is expected to extend to Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and other western districts.
The IMD has urged people in the affected districts to take precautions, especially during thunderstorms and heatwave. Citizens are advised to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours, avoid open spaces during lightning, and keep themselves hydrated.