Odisha Braces for Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Over Next 4 Days: IMD Issues Warnings

Bhubaneswar: Severe weather conditions are forecasted to persist in Odisha, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a decrease in daytime temperatures by 5-6 degrees Celsius over the next three days. The IMD attributes this weather pattern to the convergence of dry westerly winds with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal, creating favourable conditions for thunderstorms, heavy rain, gusty winds, and scattered to widespread rainfall across Odisha’s districts.

An orange warning has been issued for thunderstorms with lightning, accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph and heavy rainfall in several districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, and Nabarangpur until 8.30 am on Wednesday. Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected in Bargarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Deogarh.

Hailstorm warnings are in effect for Angul, Dhenkanal, and Jajpur districts. The IMD also predicts thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph in other parts of the state during this period.

Over the subsequent 24 hours, an orange warning remains for thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, and heavy rainfall in districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Kandhamal, and Mayurbhanj. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely in other districts.

A yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, and heavy rainfall in select districts on May 9, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Jajpur.

While no further warnings have been issued, light to moderate rain is expected to continue in Odisha until May 13.