The concrete jungle of Odisha’s capital was blanketed by dark clouds on Monday afternoon, bringing much-needed relief from the intense summer heat.
After a clear and scorching morning, the weather took a dramatic turn after 2 PM as heavy black clouds gathered overhead, accompanied by frequent lightning and thunder.
By 5 PM, the city witnessed a full-blown Kalbaisakhi — with heavy rain lashing the area along with strong winds blowing at 30-40 kmph. The sudden downpour and gusty winds provided instant respite to residents who had been reeling under temperatures consistently above 38°C. The day’s maximum temperature dropped noticeably to 36°C, offering a welcome break from the sweltering conditions.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, a trough extending from the Gangetic plains of West Bengal to Telangana and a cyclonic circulation over the west-central Bay of Bengal triggered widespread Kalbaisakhi activity across the state in the past 24 hours. The change was most visible in Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Cuttack, and Puri districts.
Locals welcomed the unseasonal rain with open arms. “The combination of extreme heat and humidity had made daily life miserable. This thunderstorm and rain gave us some breathing space,” said several residents. However, the sudden showers caused traffic snarls and power outages in some areas, with videos of the chaos going viral on social media.
The Kalbaisakhi has temporarily eased the discomfort, though meteorologists warn that such weather patterns are typical for this time of the year as the monsoon approaches.
