Bhubaneswar, 01 May (H.S.): Maximum temperatures across Odisha are expected to dip over the next few days as the India Meteorological Department has forecast widespread thunderstorms across the state till May 8.
According to the IMD’s regional centre in Bhubaneswar, day temperatures may fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius after the next two days, bringing some relief from the prevailing heat.
The weather office has issued an Orange warning for districts including Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Gajapati and Rayagada, where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds with speeds of 50–60 kmph are very likely at one or two places in the next 24 hours.
A Yellow warning has also been issued for several other districts, including Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Jajpur, Nuapada, Kendrapada, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh, indicating the likelihood of thunderstorms with gusty surface winds.
The IMD further stated that light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur at many places across the state over the next 24 hours, with thunderstorm activity expected to persist in most districts till May 8.
In the past 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall has been recorded at several locations, with heavy rainfall reported in parts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Puri. Hailstorms were also observed at a few places in districts such as Kalahandi, Khurda and Sonepur, the weather office added.
The forecast indicates a gradual easing of heat conditions across Odisha, even as residents have been advised to remain cautious during thunderstorm activity.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
