Bhubaneswar: Over the next 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers are anticipated at various locations throughout Odisha, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning and winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph in districts such as Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj.
According to the midday weather bulletin released by the IMD on Thursday, numerous districts can expect light to moderate rain or thundershowers on Friday, with heavy rain predicted in isolated areas of Sundargarh, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj. Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are forecasted for specific locations in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
The IMD also predicts light to moderate rain or thundershowers in many regions on August 22, with the potential for heavy rainfall in Baleshwar, Sundargarh, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj. A Yellow Warning remains in effect for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across various coastal, northern, and southern districts.
On August 23, an Orange Warning has been issued for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, signaling the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas. Heavy rainfall may also occur in isolated spots in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sundargarh, Debagada, Anugola, and Dhenkanal, while thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected in numerous districts.
The weather forecast indicates continued light to moderate rain or thundershowers across Odisha on August 24, along with a Yellow Warning for heavy rainfall in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj. Similar weather is expected to persist in the following days, with isolated heavy rainfall warnings for Sundargarh, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj on August 25 and again for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 26.
The IMD notes that no significant changes in weather patterns are anticipated between August 27 and 30.
This forecast comes as the southwest monsoon showed signs of weakness over Odisha on Thursday, resulting in light to moderate rain in some areas. The highest recorded rainfall was 6 cm in Akhuapada, Bhadrak, followed by 5 cm in Bhandaripokhari, and 3 cm each in Nilgiri, Begunia, Hatadihi, and Ranpur.
As for temperatures, Bhadrak experienced the hottest maximum temperature at 35 degrees Celsius, while Boudh recorded the lowest minimum at 18.7 degrees Celsius, according to the bulletin.
The IMD warned that heavy rainfall might result in localized flooding, waterlogging in lower regions, the closure of underpasses, traffic disruptions, reduced visibility, minor damage to unpaved roads and vulnerable structures, as well as potential landslides and harm to crops. Residents are urged to monitor traffic conditions, adhere to advisories, and steer clear of waterlogged areas and at-risk structures.
In Bhubaneswar and surrounding regions, the IMD forecasts a partly cloudy sky with chances of rain or thunderstorms over the next 24 hours, with maximum temperatures around 34 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures near 26 degrees Celsius.
No weather alerts have been issued for fishermen along the Odisha coast during the five-day period from August 20 to 24, according to the bulletin.
