Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorm activity is anticipated to persist in various regions of Odisha for an additional week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday.
The IMD has also issued an orange warning for multiple districts as the state prepares for a prolonged period of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. The weather system is expected to gradually intensify, with peak activity predicted between May 4 and 6.
The weather agency has issued an orange warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds (with speeds reaching up to 50-60 km/h) in the afternoon and evening hours over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, and Nabarangpur within the next 24 hours.
Additionally, a yellow warning has been issued for the districts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Sundergarh, Deogarh, Angul, and Dhenkanal during this period.
On May 4-5, an orange warning is in effect for the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Nawarangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Rayagada.
Hailstorms are expected to occur in one or two locations across the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Rayagada.
A yellow warning is also issued for the districts of Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, and Malkangiri during this timeframe.
On May 5-6, the IMD has issued an orange warning for the districts of Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Jharsuguda.
Similarly, a yellow warning has been issued for the districts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Bargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri during this period.
On May 6-7, the weather agency has issued an orange warning for the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
Authorities have warned that strong winds and lightning may cause damage to crops, trees, temporary structures, and power infrastructure. Residents, especially in vulnerable and rural areas, are advised to exercise caution during this time.
The weather agency has also indicated that squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 km/h, occasionally gusting to 60 km/h, is likely to persist along and off the North Odisha Coast until May 5. Sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough along and off the North Odisha Coast during this period.
Fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea along and off the North Odisha Coast from May 3 to 5.
