Bhubaneswar, May 13: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow warnings for several districts of Odisha for the next five days, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds between May 14 and May 18. The weather activity is expected mainly during afternoon and evening hours.
According to the IMD forecast, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph are very likely at isolated places over Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Sundargarh districts on May 14. Moderate thunderstorms with wind speeds of 30-40 kmph are also expected in Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
On May 15, stronger thunderstorm activity is likely over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kendrapara districts, with gusty winds reaching up to 50 kmph. Moderate thunderstorms are also expected across several coastal and interior districts.
The IMD further stated that on May 16, intense thunderstorm activity may shift towards coastal and southern Odisha, affecting Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts with winds up to 50 kmph.
Thunderstorm warnings will continue on May 17 and 18 for several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar.
The weather department has advised people, especially in rural and coastal areas, to remain alert and avoid open fields, sheltering under trees, and using electrical appliances during thunderstorms.
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