Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department has forecast intense rainfall and thunderstorm activity across Odisha over the next five days, with a red alert sounded for parts of western Odisha tomorrow.
According to the IMD bulletin issued for July 29, a red warning has been issued for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada and Sambalpur. An orange warning has been issued for Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at one or two places.
The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds. Wind speeds may reach 50 to 60 kmph in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sambalpur, while 40 to 50 kmph winds are likely in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Kendujhar, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir.
A yellow warning has been issued for Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh. Thunderstorms with lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kmph are very likely at one or two places in these districts.
For July 30, the IMD has placed Bargarh under an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with winds gusting up to 40 to 50 kmph. A yellow warning has been issued for Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi and Nabarangapur, where heavy rain and thunderstorms with 30 to 40 kmph winds are likely.
From July 31 to August 2, the intensity of rainfall is expected to reduce but thunderstorm activity will persist. The IMD has issued a yellow warning for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are very likely at one or two places in these districts. Sundargarh and Jharsuguda have also been included in the thunderstorm warning for July 31.
The IMD has advised people to remain cautious during thunderstorms, avoid open areas and trees, and follow advisories issued by local administrations.
Farmers have been asked to take precautionary measures for standing crops, while fishermen have been urged to avoid venturing into the sea during the period of rough weather.
