Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorm coupled with lightning, hail and gusty wind is likely to hit several parts of Odisha over the next few days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
In its midday weather bulletin, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar said that a trough extending from Gangetic West Bengal to south Tamil Nadu, along with an upper air cyclonic circulation over north Odisha, is influencing the prevailing weather across the state.
Issuing an orange warning for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore and Bhadrak till March 29 morning, it said thunderstorm with lightning, hail and wind speeds of 50–60 kmph may occur in these districts during the period.
A yellow warning has been sounded for several other districts including Sundargarh, An
gul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Nayagarh, where wind speeds may reach 40–50 kmph. Coastal districts such as Cuttack, Puri and Khurda may experience winds of 30–40 kmph along with lightning activity.
The weather agency has also said that thunderstorm activity is likely to continue over the next four days, gradually affecting southern and coastal parts of the state.
Strong winds may cause damage to standing crops, banana plantations and weak structures, while loose objects may be blown away. People have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, and stay away from water bodies and electrical conductors.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the north Odisha coast on March 28 due to rough to very rough sea conditions and squally winds reaching up to 60 kmph.
In Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, partly cloudy skies with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms are expected over the next 24 hours.
The IMD said there will be no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next three days, followed by a gradual rise of 2–3°C thereafter.