Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange warning for 18 districts of Odisha till 7.19 pm on Sunday.
Moderate thunderstorms/lighting along with rain may occur at a few places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Boudh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Sundargarh in next 3 hours.
According to the midday bulletin, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is also likely at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapat till Monday morning.
The intensity of rain may increase from August 12 with the likely formation of a low pressure area over northwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal around August 13. Orange waring of heavy to verb heavy rain has been sounded for one or two places in Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Gajapati on August 12-14. Squally wind with wind speed 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph may also prevail along & off South Odisha coasts during this period.
