The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow warnings for many districts in Odisha, anticipating thunderstorms and strong winds between April 18 and April 22.
According to the IMD, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected in the afternoon/evening hours of April 18 in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts, with wind speeds ranging from 50-60 kmph. Wind speeds in Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to be 40-50 kmph, while Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangapur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Boudh, and Sundargarh districts are expected to be 30-40 kmph.
On April 19, thunderstorms are expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Mayurbhanj districts, with lightning and winds gusting to 40-50 kmph. Thunderstorms are expected in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Koraput districts, with wind speeds of 30-40 kmph.
The IMD also predicts thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds on April 20 in Malkangiri and Koraput districts, with wind speeds reaching 30-40 km/h.
On April 21, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Koraput districts are expected to encounter similar weather conditions with wind speeds ranging from 30 to 40 kmph.
“Thunderstorm with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Koraput”, read the IMD prediction for April 21.
On April 22, thunderstorms are expected in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi districts, with lightning and winds gusting to 30-40 kmph.
Residents should be informed of the weather conditions and take appropriate actions to guarantee their safety.