Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorm accompanied by gusty surface wind, lightning and rain is likely to hit at least eight districts of Odisha on Sunday afternoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a nowcast warning.
In a message issued at 1.55 pm, the weather agency also sounded orange and yellow warnings for different districts.
Issuing an orange alert, it said moderate thunderstorm, lightning with surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph and light to moderate rain may affect some parts of Kandhamal, Ganjam, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Koraput districts within next two hours.
Under its impact, minor damage to loose / unsecured structures, minor damage to banana trees, some damage to 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.
Similarly, yellow warning was issued about light to moderate thunderstorm with gusty wind speed reaching 30- 40 kmph, lightning and light to moderate rain in some parts of Gajapati, Nayagarh and Boudh within next three hours.
People are advised to keep a watch on the weather for worsening conditions and be ready to move to safer places protect from lightning strike.