Bhubaneswar, 19 March (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for hailstorms and lightning in several districts of Odisha under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and adjoining areas.

The weather system has led to light to moderate rainfall in parts of the state, particularly in interior districts, while most coastal regions remained largely dry.

According to IMD data, Borigumma in Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall of 6 cm, followed by Kuchinda in Sambalpur and Dabugan in Nabarangpur with 4 cm each. Lamataput, Kalampur, Kotpad and Korukunda received around 3 cm of rainfall, while Birmaharajpur, Kalinga, Dharmagarh and Sonepur, among others, recorded about 2 cm.

The rainfall has also led to a noticeable drop in day temperatures across several areas. A fall of around 4°C was observed at one or two places, while a decline of 2–3°C was recorded in a few locations. However, isolated pockets reported a marginal rise of 2–3°C, with no significant change elsewhere.

Temperatures in interior Odisha were reported to be markedly below normal by about 5°C at some places and 3–4°C below normal at several others. In coastal districts, temperatures remained slightly below normal by around 2–3°C in a few areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda