Bhubaneswar, 09 July (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Warning for several districts of Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty surface winds and isolated heavy rainfall from July 10 to July 15. The weather agency has urged residents, farmers, fishermen and local authorities to remain vigilant, as adverse weather conditions may pose risks to life, property and transportation.

According to the IMD, on July 10, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph are very likely at one or two places in Balasore and Bhadrak districts. Strong surface winds of similar intensity are also expected at isolated places over Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts. Meanwhile, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph are likely over Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

The warning will continue on July 11, with thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph likely at isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Boudh districts. Similar weather conditions are expected on July 12 over Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

On July 13, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are forecast over Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh and Balangir districts. The Yellow Warning will remain in force on July 14 for these districts, while Balasore and Bhadrak have also been included under the warning. In addition to thunderstorms and gusty winds, isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts on the same day.

The IMD has further forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on July 15, with the possibility of localized waterlogging in vulnerable areas.

The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph over Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh and Balangir districts.

The Yellow Warning remains in effect for Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh and Balangir, where thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are likely.In addition, isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.

The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.

The weather agency has advised people to avoid open areas during thunderstorms, take shelter during lightning activity and stay updated with official weather advisories. Farmers and fishermen have also been urged to closely monitor the latest forecasts before undertaking outdoor or marine activities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda