A sudden hailstorm struck Bhubaneswar and Cuttack under the influence of a nor’wester system, disrupting traffic and prompting weather alerts for four districts. Wind speeds reached up to 60–70 km/h.
Impact Zones
- Bhubaneswar: Localities such as Pahal and Rasulgarh reported hail and heavy rain.
- Cuttack: Strong winds and lightning affected several neighbourhoods.
- Traffic: Fallen branches and waterlogging slowed movement across major roads.
Weather Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert at 4:50 p.m. for Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, and Jagatsinghpur. Conditions included thunderstorms with lightning, hail, and moderate to heavy rainfall. Wind speeds were expected to range between 40–70 km/h. The alert covered the next three hours.
Meteorological Context
An upper air cyclonic circulation over South Gangetic West Bengal and North Odisha triggered the storm. IMD advised residents to remain indoors and avoid travel during peak storm hours.
