Bhubaneswar: With the Holy City Puri buzzing with activities for the annual Rath Yatra today, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a special nowcast warning for the city, forecasting moderate rain and thunderstorm activity till afternoon.
The alert was issued keeping in view the large congregation of devotees on the Grand Road.
According to the bulletin released by the Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar at 7 am today, Puri is likely to experience a generally cloudy sky with intermittent moderate rain and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning over the next six hours.
The weather department has forecast the temperature in Puri to remain between 25°C and 27°C, with humidity levels staying very high at 98 to 100 per cent. The city has already seen significant rainfall ahead of the festival.
IMD data shows that Puri recorded 72.8 mm of rain between 8:30 pm on Wednesday and 5:30 am on Thursday. At 5:30 am, the realised temperature was 25.4°C and humidity was recorded at 100 per cent, with rain already continuing in the city.
Head of the Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar, Manorama Mohanty, said the nowcast has been issued specifically keeping in mind the Rath Yatra celebrations and the large congregation of pilgrims on the Bada Danda.
Given the weather conditions, IMD has urged devotees to remain alert during thunderstorm and lightning activity. The department has advised people to move to safe, permanent shelters immediately if heavy rain, lightning, or strong winds occur, and to avoid taking shelter under trees, electric poles, or temporary structures. Pilgrims have also been asked to wear non-slip footwear and to be cautious while walking on wet and slippery surfaces around the Grand Road.
The advisory further states that elderly devotees, children, and people with medical conditions should avoid prolonged exposure to rain and crowded areas. With humidity expected to remain high despite the cloud cover, devotees have been asked to stay hydrated and carry drinking water.
IMD has also requested people to keep their mobile phones charged and to keep monitoring official weather updates throughout the day, as monsoon weather can change rapidly.
For those planning to take a sea bath, the department has advised using only designated and permitted locations and to avoid bathing during high tide or rough sea conditions. Pilgrims have also been told to protect mobile phones, valuables, and important documents in waterproof bags or pouches.
With lakhs of devotees expected to pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra today, the administration has asked everyone to follow the weather advisories and cooperate with officials to ensure a safe Rath Yatra.
