Bhubaneswar, 06 March (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow and orange warnings for several districts of Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over the next few days along with hot and humid weather conditions in some coastal areas.

According to the IMD forecast, hot and humid conditions are likely to prevail on March 7 at one or two places in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati.

For March 8, the weather department has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds with speeds reaching 30–40 kmph at isolated places in several districts including Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Puri.

An orange warning has been issued for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Sundargarh, where thunderstorms with lightning and stronger gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely to occur at isolated locations on March 8.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been issued for many other districts including Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal and Kalahandi, where thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also expected.

For March 9, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph at isolated places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts.

The weather department has advised residents in the affected areas to remain alert and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during thunderstorms and periods of heat and humidity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda