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Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an active spell of monsoon rainfall across Odisha over the coming week, with Mayurbhanj district likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain. The weather agency has also warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in several parts of the state.

According to the IMD’s afternoon weather bulletin issued on Wednesday, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected at most places in western, northern and southern Odisha, while many coastal districts are also likely to receive rainfall until Thursday morning.

An Orange warning has been issued for Mayurbhanj, where isolated places are expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall. Yellow warnings for heavy rain have also been issued for Kendujhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph are likely across many districts.

The wet spell is expected to intensify on Thursday, with rainfall forecast in almost all districts of the state. The IMD has placed Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj under an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, while several districts in northern, western and southern Odisha will remain under Yellow warning for heavy rain. Thunderstorm activity with lightning and strong surface winds is also expected to continue.

On Friday, light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places across Odisha. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall have been issued for Baleswar, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Gusty winds of up to 40 kmph accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning may affect several districts during the day.

The IMD said the monsoon activity will persist through the weekend. Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj are under Yellow warning for August 8, while Mayurbhanj has again been placed under an Orange warning for August 9 due to the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Heavy rain is also expected in Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam, with thunderstorms and gusty winds continuing over many parts of the state.

Rainfall is likely to continue across Odisha till August 12. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall remain in effect for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 10 and 11. The weather office indicated that no major change in the prevailing weather pattern is expected during the following three days.

The IMD cautioned that intense rainfall could trigger localized flooding, waterlogging in low-lying urban areas, traffic congestion, poor visibility, minor damage to kutcha roads, landslides in vulnerable locations and inundation of standing crops. Residents have been advised to avoid waterlogged stretches, monitor weather updates before travelling and stay away from weak structures during thunderstorms.

For Bhubaneswar and nearby areas, the forecast indicates a generally cloudy sky with intermittent rain or thundershowers over the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 34°C, while the minimum is likely to be around 26°C.

Meanwhile, the IMD has stated that no weather warning has been issued for fishermen operating along the Odisha coast during the next five days.