IMD Issues Yellow Warning for Thunderstorms and Gusty Winds in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a yellow warning for isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across several districts of Odisha, even as the southwest monsoon continues its gradual withdrawal from the region.

According to the midday weather bulletin released by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected to persist across the state over the next week, with comparatively heavier rainfall activity during the initial days. The IMD stated that the line of withdrawal of the southwest monsoon remains stationary, passing through 20°N/69°E, Veraval, Bharuch, Ujjain, Jhansi, Shahjahanpur, and 30°N/81°E.

For Day 1 (valid until 8:30 AM on October 5), light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places in South Interior Odisha and at a few places elsewhere. The IMD has issued a yellow warning (be aware) for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph in several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.

Similar conditions are likely to continue for Day 2 (October 5–6) and Day 3 (October 6–7), with the same yellow warning in place for the aforementioned districts. For Day 4 (October 7–8), light to moderate rain is expected at one or two places in North Interior Odisha and at a few places elsewhere, though no warnings have been issued.

During Day 5 (October 8–9) and Day 6 (October 9–10), isolated rainfall may occur in parts of North Coastal Odisha and a few other regions, while Day 7 (October 10–11) could see light rain at one or two places across the state. No warnings have been issued for these days. The overall outlook from October 11–14 indicates no significant change in weather patterns.

As Odisha transitions out of the monsoon season, authorities have advised residents to remain cautious in low-lying and waterlogged areas and to avoid open fields and isolated spots during thunderstorms to prevent lightning-related mishaps.