Bhubaneswar: Hit by a searing heatwave over the last few days, Odisha is set to receive some respite with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting rain and thunderstorm in many parts of the state this week
While thunderstorm activity is likely to continue in the state for a week, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday issued yellow warning for several districts till April 5.
In its midday bulletin, the weather agency said thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, Boudh, and Gajapati districts in next 24 hours. A yellow warning has been issued for these areas during the period.
On April 2-3, thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely to occur at one or two places of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Angul, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangapur, and Koraput. The weather agency issued a yellow warning for these districts.
On April 3-4, yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph and hailstorm was issued for Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur.
Similarly, thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph may to occur at one or two places over the districts of Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, and Malkangiri during the period.
On April 4-5, thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph and hailstorm may occur at one or two places of Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Angul, Rayagada, and Koraput.
2) Thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati.
3) Thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Boudh, Kandhamal, and Dhenkanal.
The weather agency has issued a yellow warning for all these districts during the period.
In view of the impending thunderstorms, hailstorms, and rainfall expected to lash Odisha till April 5, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued the following instructions to District Collectors:
1) Districts under yellow warning are advised to keep administrative machinery ready to face any eventuality.
2) People may be advised to keep a watch on weather updates and take safe shelter during thunderstorm activity to protect themselves from lightning.
3) Harvesting of crops may be regulated judiciously, and farmers are advised to use nail nets to protect vegetables and crops from hail.
4) A report on the damage, if occurred due to thunderstorm, whirlwind, hailstorm, lightning, and rainfall, should be submitted immediately for information of the government.
