Bhubaneswar, 02 May (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for several districts of Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over the next few days.

According to the IMD, a yellow warning has been sounded for Sunday, with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds (40–50 kmph) likely at isolated places in districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Sundargarh, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, and Malkangiri.

In addition, moderate thunderstorms with lightning and winds of 30–40 kmph are expected in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Nabarangapur, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Nayagarh.

For May 4, the regional weather office has forecast similar conditions in parts of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Khordha, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Nabarangapur under a yellow warning.

Looking ahead to May 5, the IMD has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorms, and stronger winds (50–60 kmph) in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts. Several other districts, including Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangapur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur, have been placed under a yellow alert for moderate thunderstorm activity.

The IMD has advised residents to remain cautious, particularly during afternoon and evening hours when such weather events are most likely. People have been urged to avoid taking shelter under trees, stay away from open fields and water bodies, and limit outdoor activities during thunderstorms.

Farmers and outdoor workers have been advised to plan their activities carefully, while fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea along and off the North Odisha coast until May 5 due to expected squally weather conditions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda