Bhubaneswar: In a major relief from the blistering heat spell in Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted thunderstorm activity with lightning, gusty surface winds, and hail over several parts of the state during the next four days.
With the weather agency predicting high-velocity wind in several districts, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has alerted the Collectors to keep administrative machinery ready to face any eventuality.
People are advised to keep watch on weather and take safe shelter during thunderstorm activity to protect themselves from lightning. Farmers are advised to use hail nets to protect vegetables and crops from hail.
The IMD said there will be no large change in maximum temperature (day temperature) during the next 2 days and fall by 3-5°C thereafter over Odisha.
The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, and Mayurbhanj districts, with thunderstorms and gusty winds likely.
For March 20-21, an orange warning has been issued for Bhadrak, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Sundargarh districts, with thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds likely. A yellow warning has also been issued for Sambalpur, Deogarh, Boudh, Angul, and Jajpur districts.
The IMD has also predicted severe weather conditions for March 21-22, and issued an orange warning for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda districts. A yellow warning has been issued for several other districts, including Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Boudh, Bolangir, Nuapada, and Sonepur.
For March 22-23, an orange warning has been issued for Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Khurda, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore districts, with thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds likely. A yellow warning has been issued for Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts.
For March 23-24, a yellow warning has been issued for several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal.
