Heatwave Warning Issued for Parts of Odisha as Monsoon Progress Stalls

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for heatwave conditions across several districts in Odisha, effective until June 14. The alert follows a sluggish advancement of the southwest monsoon in the region.

According to the IMD, districts likely to experience heatwave conditions include Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Balangir, Boudh, and Nuapada. This is due to the influence of dry north-westerly winds. Additionally, hot and humid weather is expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.

On June 10, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) may occur in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri, and Koraput. Similar weather conditions are expected in Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Deogarh on the following day.

By June 12, thunderstorm activity is forecasted for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Nayagarh, Puri, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, and Boudh. Malkangiri, Koraput, and Rayagada districts will likely experience similar weather on June 13-14.

The IMD predicts a gradual rise in day temperatures by 2-3°C over the next five days, with no significant changes thereafter. Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty stated that monsoon advancement is unlikely in the next five days, though it has progressed in some parts of the North Arabian Sea and Maharashtra. Further advancement into South Gujarat and more parts of Maharashtra is expected in the next two days.

Starting June 14, Odisha may see fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain or thundershowers, with isolated heavy rainfall. Temperatures in the interior districts are anticipated to be near normal to slightly above normal in the latter half of the week.