IMD Issues Orange Warning for Six Odisha Districts; Thunderstorms, Hailstorm Likely

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for six districts of Odisha for Tuesday, forecasting severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorm, and strong gusty winds.

According to the IMD, thunderstorms with lightning, hailstorm, and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph are very likely to occur during the afternoon and evening hours at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Kandhamal, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts.

The regional weather office has also issued a yellow warning for several other districts. Heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) are likely in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh districts.

Additionally, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and moderate gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are expected at one or two places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur districts.

The IMD has advised residents in the affected areas to remain alert and take necessary precautions. People have been urged to avoid venturing outdoors during the thunderstorm period, secure loose objects, and stay away from open fields, trees, and water bodies. Farmers have also been advised to postpone agricultural activities during the warning period.