Rain and Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Puri on Rath Yatra Day
Bhubaneswar: As the sacred city of Puri welcomes lakhs of devotees for the grand Rath Yatra, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, warning of thunderstorms and lightning over the region today. The forecast indicates cloudy skies throughout the day, with light to moderate rainfall expected. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 km/h are also likely to affect the coastal town during the chariot festival.
The IMD’s regional office has extended the weather warning to several other parts of Odisha, cautioning of thunderstorms accompanied by rain across multiple districts on Friday. Heavy rainfall, thunder, and strong winds are predicted to occur in isolated areas of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda.
Thunderstorms with wind speeds of 30–40 km/h are also expected in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati. These weather conditions may cause temporary disruptions as millions of devotees take part in pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra toward Gundicha Temple.
Looking ahead, the IMD has predicted continued heavy rainfall across Odisha from June 29 to July 3, with monsoon activity expected to intensify. The weather department has urged local authorities to remain vigilant and ensure adequate preparedness in vulnerable areas.
In the last 24 hours, several places in Odisha have already experienced rainfall, including Cuttack, Hirakud, Talcher, Balangir, and Titlagarh. These early showers signal the onset of a potentially wet spell during the nine-day-long Rath Yatra festivities.
In response to the forecast, the Puri district administration has heightened its alert status and is taking precautionary measures to prevent rain-related disruptions during the festival. With the city under a security and logistical spotlight, officials are working to ensure that devotees can celebrate the Rath Yatra safely despite the unpredictable weather.
