IMD Forecasts Rain, Thunderstorms Across Odisha as Southwest Monsoon Advances

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said the southwest monsoon has advanced further into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Andaman region, while predicting widespread rainfall and thunderstorm activity across Odisha over the coming days.

According to the Midday Weather Bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, conditions remain favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into additional parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, Comorin area and east-central Bay of Bengal during the next three to four days.

The IMD has also forecast that the southwest monsoon is likely to make its onset over Kerala on May 26, with a model error margin of plus or minus four days.

The weather office said light to moderate rainfall was recorded at one or two places in Ganjam, Rayagada, Nayagarh and Mayurbhanj districts, while the remaining parts of Odisha experienced mainly dry weather. Sheragada, Madhabarida, Aska and Sankheimundi in Ganjam district each received 2 cm of rainfall.

Boudh recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 42.9 degrees Celsius, while Rayagada registered the lowest minimum temperature at 22.6 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thunderstorms at isolated places in districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Koraput and Malkangiri during the next 24 hours.

A yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph in districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Koraput. Hot and humid weather conditions are also likely to prevail at isolated places in several coastal and adjoining districts.

For May 20 and 21, the IMD has issued orange warnings for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph.

The weather office warned that strong winds could cause damage to plantations, horticulture and standing crops, especially banana and ripe paddy crops. Minor damage to kutcha houses, huts and unsecured structures is also likely.

People have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees, unplug electrical appliances and stay away from water bodies and conductive objects.

The IMD further stated that there will be no significant change in maximum temperatures across Odisha during the next two days, followed by a gradual rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius over the subsequent five days.