Finance
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Warning on Tuesday for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds of 50-60 kmph in nine districts of Odisha, while forecasting light to moderate rain and thunderstorm activity across the state over the next few days.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar’s Midday Weather Bulletin, the Orange Warning for Wednesday morning applies to the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. Residents have been warned to stay prepared and take the necessary precautions against inclement weather.
A Yellow Warning has also been issued for several other districts, including Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh, where thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are expected in the afternoon and evening hours.
According to the IMD forecast, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are predicted in a few locations in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack districts during the next 24 hours, while the remainder of the state will get isolated rainfall.
The meteorological service has also warned of hot and humid conditions in isolated areas of numerous coastal and neighboring districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh.
Thunderstorms are predicted to continue over northern, coastal, and southern districts on June 3 and 4, with Orange Warnings in effect for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Nabarangpur. Rainfall coverage is expected to increase beginning June 5, with light to moderate rain or thunderstorms projected in a few locations across most districts. Rain and thunderstorm activity is expected to occur across all districts of Odisha between June 6-7.
According to the IMD, conditions are improving for the southwest monsoon to progress into additional portions of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu around June 4, though it has yet to reach Odisha.
The department cautioned that severe winds could harm standing crops, banana plantations, electricity and communication cables, kutcha huts, and unsecured buildings in Orange Warning districts. People have been warned to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking cover beneath trees, turn off electrical equipment, and avoid water bodies during lightning activity.
The IMD predicts a gradual increase of 2-3 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures in Odisha over the next four days.
