Bhubaneswar: The regional meteorological centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued thunderstorm and heavy rainfall warning for nine districts of Odisha.
The districts likely to be affected are Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Malkangiri, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Boudh, Sonepur, Keonjhar and Angul.
According to a bulletin issued in this regard, latest Doppler weather radar and satellite imageries indicate that thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and intense spell of rain are likely to occur in these districts till 1 pm.
People in these areas have been advised either to stay indoors or shift to safer places, if such weather conditions prevail.
The fishermen have also been warned against venturing into the sea.
The weatherman has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state, especially coastal areas, in the next 24 hours with the well-marked low pressure formed over north-west Bay of Bengal turning into a depression.
Most places in the state, including the twin cities, remained inundated in knee-deep water owing to incessant rainfall for the past two days.
On Saturday, as many as 16 blocks of the state had recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall while 35 blocks received between 100 mm and 200 mm.
