IMD Issues Storm Alerts for Odisha Till May 6

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted widespread thunderstorm activity across Odisha over the next four days, accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall in several districts. The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has issued a combination of Orange and Yellow warnings across the state, valid till May 6.

May 3 Forecast:

An Orange Warning has been issued for the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Gajapati, and Ganjam, where thunderstorms with lightning, hailstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph, along with heavy rainfall, are expected during afternoon or evening hours.

Yellow Warnings have been issued for:

• Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Angul, Nayagarh, and Dhenkanal, with wind speeds up to 40–50 kmph.
• Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Puri, Khurda, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri, where winds may reach 30–40 kmph.

May 4 Forecast:

An Orange Warning remains in place for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Gajapati, expecting gusty winds of 50–60 kmph, thunderstorms, and heavy downpours.

Yellow Warnings include:

• Dhenkanal, Angul, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara (50–60 kmph winds).
• Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri (40–50 kmph winds).
• Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Rayagada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Keonjhar (30–40 kmph winds).

May 5 Forecast:

Only Yellow Warnings have been issued for this day:

• Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak (40–50 kmph winds).
• Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, and Nayagarh (30–40 kmph winds).

May 6 Forecast:

On the final day of the forecast period, Yellow Warnings continue:

• Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri are likely to witness thunderstorms with winds reaching 40–50 kmph.
• Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi may experience slightly milder storms with wind speeds of 30–40 kmph.

Residents are advised to remain indoors during thunderstorm hours, avoid open areas, and secure loose objects. Farmers and those working outdoors should take extra precautions to prevent lightning-related hazards.

The IMD continues to monitor weather patterns closely and will provide timely updates.