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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipated significant thunderstorm activity, including lightning, gusty winds, and hail, over many districts of Odisha during the next five days, issuing Orange and Yellow warnings in multiple places.
The Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar’s Midday Weather Bulletin states that a trough spanning from southeast Rajasthan to north Chhattisgarh is influencing weather conditions across the state, causing instability and convective activity.
Forecast & Warnings
Day 1 (till March 19 morning): Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) likely in districts including Nuapada, Bolangir, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri under a Yellow warning.
Day 2 (March 19–20): Orange warning issued for Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts for thunderstorms with lightning, hail, and winds up to 40–50 kmph. Several southern districts remain under Yellow alert.
Day 3 (March 20–21): Intensification expected, with Orange warning for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, and Sambalpur districts, forecasting hailstorms and winds reaching 50–60 kmph.
Day 4 (March 21–22): Continued Orange alert for northern and coastal districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak, with risk of hail and strong winds up to 60 kmph.
Day 5 onward: Thunderstorm activity likely to persist in coastal and northern districts, though intensity may reduce, with only Yellow warnings in place.
According to the IMD, maximum temperatures will remain stable for the next two days before gradually falling by 2-3°C across Odisha over the next five days.
Over the next 24 hours, Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas may expect partly overcast skies and temperatures ranging between 34°C (highest) and 22°C (minimum).
Authorities have cautioned citizens, particularly those in the interior and northern districts, to be on the lookout for lightning strikes, strong winds, and probable hailstorms. Farmers have been advised to take all essential precautions to protect standing crops.
