Collectors Alerted as Meteorological Department Issues Yellow Warning for 15 Districts

Bhubaneswar: The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has instructed the Collectors of 15 districts to ensure preparedness in their administrative machinery to tackle any potential situation. This directive was prompted by a yellow warning issued by the regional centre of the India Meteorological Department in Bhubaneswar, forecasting adverse weather conditions for five consecutive days.

The districts under the alert include Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Kandhamal, Khordha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Gajapatai, and Ganjam. The SRC has provided the following advisories to the Collectors:

1. Be ready to handle any situation effectively within the administrative setup.
2. Advise the public to remain vigilant regarding the weather, seek safe shelter during thunderstorms to avoid lightning hazards, and follow traffic advisories in urban areas.
3. Maintain constant surveillance of low-lying areas and carry out necessary dewatering activities, including urban regions.
4. Promptly report any rainfall data to the designated office.
5. Immediately submit a report on any damages caused by thunderstorms, whirlwinds, hailstorms, or lightning for government reference.

Weather Forecast and Warning:

Day 1 (Valid until 8:30 hrs IST of 22.05.2023): A yellow warning is issued for the following districts: Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 30-40 kmph are highly likely to occur in one or two places. Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning are expected in Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Khordha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts.

Day 2 (Valid from 8:30 hrs IST of 22.05.2023 to 8:30 hrs IST of 23.05.2023): A yellow warning is issued for the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, and Gajapati. Thunderstorms with lightning are likely to occur in one or two places.

Day 3 (Valid from 8:30 hrs IST of 23.05.2023 to 8:30 hrs IST of 24.05.2023): A yellow warning is issued for the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Koraput. Thunderstorms with lightning are expected in one or two places.

Day 4 (Valid from 8:30 hrs IST of 24.05.2023 to 8:30 hrs IST of 25.05.2023): A yellow warning is issued for the districts of Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Khordha, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri. Thunderstorms with lightning are highly likely to occur in one or two places.

Day 5 (Valid from 8:30 hrs IST of 25.05.2023 to 8:30 hrs IST of 26.05.2023): A yellow warning is issued for the districts of Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Jharsuguda. Thunderstorms with lightning are expected in one or two places.