Odisha Sizzles As Angul Records 40.1°C; IMD Issues Thunderstorm Warning

Bhubaneswar: Several parts of Odisha continued to reel under intense heat on Friday, with Angul emerging as the hottest place in the state at 40.1 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Nayagarh closely followed at 40 degrees Celsius, while Phulabani recorded 39.7 degrees and Talcher 39.5 degrees. The state capital Bhubaneswar registered 38.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Sonepur at 38.7 degrees and Malkangiri at 38.2 degrees Celsius.

Amid the prevailing heatwave-like conditions, the IMD said conditions have become favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands during the next 24 hours.

The weather office also informed that a well-marked low-pressure area persists over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level and tilts southwestwards with height.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a Yellow Warning for thunderstorm activity across several districts of Odisha on Saturday.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely to occur during the afternoon or evening hours at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts.

Similarly, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are expected at isolated places in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Sundargarh, Dhenkanal and Angul districts.

The IMD has advised residents in the affected areas to remain cautious and take necessary precautions during thunderstorm activity, especially in the afternoon and evening hours.