Bhubaneswar: While thunderstorm activity is expected to continue in Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted the return of heatwave for two days from May 18.
According to the weather agency, thunderstorm with lightning accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal till 8.30 am on Thursday. Thunderstorm with lightning is also likely at one or two places in Sundargarh, Angul, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts.
Yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning has been issued for one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri during the subsequent 24 hours.
While there is no weather warning for May 17, the IMD has forecast heatwave conditions at one or two places in Nuapada, Balangir, Bargarh, and Jharsuguda districts on May 18. Thunderstorm with lightning accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may also occur at one or two places in Balangir, Boudh, Sonepur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri.
On May 19, yellow warning of heatwave has been issued for one or two places in Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, and Jharsuguda districts. Thunderstorm with lightning accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is also likely in Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Balangir, and Boudh during this period.
Light to moderate rain may continue in South Odisha during the subsequent two days.
While there will be no large change in the day temperature during the next 24 hours, the mercury level may gradual rise by 2-4 degree Celsius in the subsequent 4 days. During this period, the day temperature may soar to 40 degree Celsius in Bhubaneswar while hovering around 44-45 degree Celsius in Balangir, Jharsuguda, Titlagarh, Nuapada and Bhawanipatna.