Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms likely in Odisha till June 20

Bhubaneswar, June 16: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an alert forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning till June 20. The intensified rainfall activity is due to a cyclonic circulation persisting over the north-west Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood.

This weather system is also likely to aid the further advancement of the southwest monsoon into more regions of Odisha within the next 24 hours, the IMD stated.

An orange warning has been issued for Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kalahandi districts for the next three days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by gusty surface winds of 30–40 kmph and lightning, is expected in Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Kalahandi on June 16, while Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh are likely to be affected on June 17. Rainfall may continue in Keonjhar and Sundargarh on June 18.

The IMD also noted a drop in daytime temperatures by 2–4°C during this period, with no major changes afterward.

Furthermore, squally weather with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, is expected along and off the Odisha coast from June 17–19. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this time.