Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorm coupled with gusty surface wind, lightning and rain is likely to hit at least 19 districts of Odisha on Friday night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a nowcast warning.
The IMD also issued red, orange and yellow warnings for different districts in the message issued at 7.45 pm.
The weather agency issued a red warning for two districts. Severe thunderstorm accompanied by hail wind speed reaching 60 – 70 kmph, lightning, moderate to intense spell of rain may affect some parts of Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts withing next two hours.
Under its impact, damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches, water logging in low lying area, some damage to standing crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards may occur. People are advised to take shelter in pukka structures and avoid taking shelter under trees. Farming operations is to be temporarily suspended during occurrence of event. People are also advised to move away from electric poles and wires.
Orange warning was issued for ten districts. Moderate thunderstorm with lightning and moderate rain with hail and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40- 50 kmph may affect some parts of district of Balasore, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Balangir, Deogarh, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal and Kendrapada within next two to three hours.
Under its impact, minor damage to loose / unsecured structures, minor damage to banana trees and standing crops may occur. People are advised to keep a watch on the weather for worsening conditions and be ready to move to safer places accordingly.
Yellow warning of light to moderate thunderstorm with lightning and light to moderate rain with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph was issued for nine districts. Some parts of Jajpur, Cuttack (including Cuttack city), Nabarangpur, Boudh, Sonepur, Koraput, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam and Khurda (including Bhubaneswar city) are likely to be affected within next two to three hours.
People are advised to keep a watch on the weather and accordingly move to safer places to protect from lightning strike.
