Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorm activity along with heavy rain and hail is likely to continue in Odisha till May 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday.
Orange warning has been sounded for nine districts on April 30. Thunderstorm/lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 50- 60 kmph and hailstorm, heavy rainfall may occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places in Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Balangir, Nuapada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar districts.
In a special bulletin, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has warned of damage to horticulture and standing crops, loose/unsecured and vulnerable structures due to strong winds. People have been advised to move to safer places during thunderstorm activity to protect themselves from lightning. Farmers are also advised to use hail nets to protect vegetables and crops from hail
The weather agency also issued a yellow warning for 22 districts. Thunderstorm with lightning, gusty surface wind speed reaching 40- 50 kmph may occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Nabarangapur districts.
There will be no large change in maximum temperature (day temperature) during next 3 days. Thereafter, the mercury is likely to rise by 2 – 4°C during subsequent four days in the state.