A sigh of relief swept across Odisha as the Kalabaisakhi rain brought an end to the searing heatwave, providing much-needed respite to its residents.
The regional meteorological center has forecast that thunderstorms will continue to drench parts of the state until April 17, with the intensity expected to peak on April 13, 14, and 15.
A yellow weather warning has been issued for eight districts, namely Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara. On April 12, Bhubaneswar and neighboring districts, including Nayagarh, Ganjam, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj, experienced an evening of heavy rain and hailstorms, which brought down temperatures significantly.
The weather department predicts that while the intensity of storms may decrease by April 16 and 17, sporadic showers could still persist in isolated areas.
The Kalabaisakhi storms, a characteristic pre-monsoon feature in the region, have not only provided temporary relief but also underscored the erratic nature of weather patterns influenced by climate change. Residents are advised to stay cautious and keep abreast of updates from the weather department during this period.