The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds for various districts in Odisha from May 7 to May 13.
On May 7, the IMD has issued a yellow warning for the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal, predicting thunderstorms with lightning and surface winds reaching speeds of 40-50 km/h.
Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning and surface winds of 30-40 km/h are expected in the afternoon or evening hours in one or two locations over Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Balangir on May 7.
A yellow warning for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) is also issued for May 8 in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
For May 9, the IMD has predicted thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) in Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar.
On May 10, the same conditions are forecasted for Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nabarangapur.
For May 11, a yellow warning for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) is likely over Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangapur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Nayagarh, Khurda, and Puri.
On May 12 and May 13, the IMD has issued a yellow warning for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, predicting thunderstorms with lightning.
The IMD has advised residents to be cautious of lightning strikes, strong winds, and potential damage to loose structures, trees, and crops during this period. Farmers and outdoor workers are encouraged to take necessary precautions. People are also advised to avoid open fields, tall trees, and unsafe shelters during thunderstorms.
