Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday forecast widespread rainfall activity across Odisha over the next week, issuing an Orange warning for Mayurbhanj district for heavy to very heavy rainfall while cautioning residents in several districts about thunderstorms, lightning and gusty surface winds.
According to the IMD’s midday weather bulletin issued at 2 pm, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at most places in western, northern and southern Odisha and at many places in the coastal districts till Thursday morning. An Orange warning has been issued for Mayurbhanj, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall have been sounded for Kendujhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 30-40 kmph are also likely over most districts of the state.
The weather office said the wet spell is expected to intensify on Thursday, with light to moderate rain or thundershowers likely at most places across all districts. Orange warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall have been issued for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, while Yellow warnings remain in force for several northern, western and southern districts. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected to persist across much of Odisha.
For Friday, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at many places across the state, with Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall in Baleswar, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Similar thunderstorm and lightning activity accompanied by gusty winds of up to 40 kmph is likely over several districts.
The rainfall activity is expected to continue through the weekend. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall have been issued for Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 8, while Mayurbhanj is likely to experience another spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall on August 9 under an Orange warning. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Jajpur, Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam on that day, with thunderstorms and gusty winds continuing across several districts.
The IMD has forecast that light to moderate rain or thundershowers will continue over large parts of Odisha through August 12. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall remain in place for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 10 and 11, while the outlook for the subsequent three days indicates no significant change in the prevailing weather conditions.
The weather office warned that heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding, waterlogging in low-lying urban areas, traffic disruption, reduced visibility, minor damage to kutcha roads, damage to vulnerable structures, landslides in susceptible areas, and inundation of standing crops. People have been advised to avoid waterlogged locations, check traffic conditions before travel, follow official advisories and stay away from vulnerable structures.
In Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, the IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 34 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius respectively.
The IMD also said there is no weather warning for fishermen along the Odisha coast during the next five days.
