IMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Odisha

Bhubaneswar, March 22: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in several parts of Odisha over the next three days. The forecast, issued on Saturday, warns of intense weather conditions across multiple districts.

According to the midday bulletin from the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, thunderstorm activity with lightning, hail, and surface wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph is expected in parts of Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, and Sundargarh districts within the next 24 hours. Additionally, heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) is likely at isolated locations in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar. In light of these conditions, an orange warning has been issued for the affected districts.

A yellow warning has also been issued for Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, where thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) may occur.

Furthermore, thunderstorm activity with lightning is expected in isolated areas of Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, and Nabarangapur. On March 23-24, districts including Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati may also experience thunderstorms with lightning, prompting another yellow warning from the IMD.