Thunderstorm and heavy rain likely to continue in Odisha till June 26: IMD issues yellow warning

Bhubaneswar, June 21: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a yellow warning for several districts in Odisha, forecasting continued thunderstorm activity and heavy rainfall till June 26.

According to the IMD, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are likely to occur at isolated places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, and Rayagada districts by Sunday morning.

Though no significant rain is expected for the next two days, officials noted that the low-pressure area over southwest Bihar and its surrounding regions is weakening while moving northwestwards.

However, the IMD warned that the intensity of rainfall is expected to increase again from June 24. On June 24 and 25, heavy rainfall along with thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds may affect Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts.

The alert continues into June 25 and 26, with Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh again likely to experience heavy rain and thunderstorms. The IMD has urged people in the warned districts to stay alert, avoid open fields during lightning, and take necessary precautions for safety.