IMD Issues Red Alert for Odisha, Storms Till June 4

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red, orange and yellow weather warnings for several districts of Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, heavy rainfall and strong winds across the state till June 4.

According to the IMD’s latest weather bulletin, Kandhamal and Gajapati districts have been placed under a red alert for June 1. The districts are likely to experience severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorms, heavy rain and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 60-70 kmph at isolated places.

An orange warning has been issued for Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Ganjam and Nayagarh districts. These areas are expected to witness thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds of 50-60 kmph, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours.

The weather office has also sounded a yellow alert for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri and Khordha districts, where wind speeds may touch 40-50 kmph.

The IMD has forecast another spell of severe weather on June 2. Orange alerts have been issued for Gajapati, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Kandhamal districts, where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorms, heavy rainfall and gusty winds of up to 70 kmph are likely.

Yellow warnings have been issued for Balasore, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Subarnapur, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Jajpur, Cuttack, Puri and Khordha districts, which may experience thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 40-50 kmph.

For June 3 and June 4, the IMD has issued yellow alerts for Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Balasore, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected in these areas during the period.

The weather agency has advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees and stay away from electric poles and water bodies during lightning activity. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official weather advisories.