Bhubaneswar, 06 May (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (India Meteorological Department) has forecast widespread thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds across several districts of Odisha from May 7 to May 13.

Issuing a series of yellow warnings, the IMD said that multiple districts are likely to experience thunderstorm activity with wind speeds reaching 30–50 kmph during this period.

For May 7, a yellow warning has been issued for districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nabarangapur, where thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds up to 40–50 kmph are likely.

In addition, isolated thunderstorms with winds of 30–40 kmph are expected during the afternoon and evening hours in districts such as Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Balangir.

Similar weather conditions are expected to continue on May 8, affecting districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.

On May 9, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are likely over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. The same pattern is expected to persist on May 10 across several coastal and interior districts including Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nabarangapur.

For May 11, the warning has been expanded to cover almost the entire state, including major coastal, southern, and northern districts such as Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Nayagarh, and others, with continued thunderstorm activity and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph.

On May 12 and May 13, the weather agency has forecast thunderstorms with lightning over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.

The IMD has advised residents to remain alert and take precautions against lightning strikes and strong winds. Citizens have been urged to avoid open fields, tall trees, and unsafe structures during thunderstorms. Farmers and outdoor workers have also been advised to plan activities carefully to minimise risk during the adverse weather period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda