Bhubaneswar, Oct 19: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across nine districts of Odisha, cautioning residents to remain alert to changing weather conditions until 8:30 AM on Monday.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, surface wind speeds may reach 30–40 kmph in isolated areas of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts.
The warning comes amid forecasts of isolated rainfall across several parts of the state. Residents, particularly those in the affected southern and coastal districts, have been advised to exercise caution during thunderstorms and lightning activity.
Rainfall likely across 19 districts
The IMD has forecast isolated light to moderate rainfall across 19 districts, including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Nayagarh, Khordha, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.
In contrast, dry weather is expected to prevail across 11 western and interior districts, including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Kandhamal.
Kujanga records highest rainfall
Several weather stations recorded rainfall during the 24 hours ending Sunday morning. Kujanga in Jagatsinghpur district received the highest rainfall at 35 mm, followed by Kakatpur in Puri and Pottangi in Koraput, which recorded 32 mm each.
Purusottampur in Ganjam received 18.2 mm, while Nuagada in Gajapati and Koraput town recorded 10.6 mm each. Balasore town received 10 mm, followed by Patrapur at 9 mm, Berhampur at 8.4 mm and Paradip at 8.1 mm.
Puri records state’s highest maximum temperature
Despite the rainfall activity, daytime temperatures remained relatively high in several parts of Odisha. Puri recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 34.8°C, around 2.5°C above normal.
Balasore registered 34.5°C, while Jharsuguda and Talcher recorded 34.4°C each. Bargarh, Ranital and Paralakhemundi reported maximum temperatures of 34.2°C.
Phulbani recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the plains at 19°C, while Similiguda registered a maximum of 28.5°C.
In the twin cities, Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 33.8°C and a minimum of 23.4°C. Cuttack registered a maximum of 31.6°C and a minimum of 25°C. Neither city recorded rainfall during the reporting period.
No major temperature change expected
The weather office has forecast no significant change in maximum or minimum temperatures across Odisha over the next six to seven days.
With intermittent showers expected in several districts, residents are advised to follow official weather updates and take precautions during lightning and gusty winds, particularly in areas covered by the yellow warning.