The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for 11 districts in Odisha today, forecasting the potential impact of Nor’wester storms (commonly known as Kalbaisakhi).
As per the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, regions likely to be affected include Gajapati, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Bhadrak. These areas may experience thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 km/h, and light to moderate rainfall.
Citizens, particularly those in open or exposed locations, are urged to exercise caution.
The warning comes as Odisha continues to endure scorching temperatures and high humidity, especially along the coastal belt. While the Nor’wester may provide brief respite in select areas, the larger part of the state remains trapped in a severe heatwave.
On Tuesday morning, Bhubaneswar registered 33.4°C by 8:30 AM, coupled with a 67.2% humidity level. Balasore recorded the highest morning temperature at 34.8°C, followed closely by Puri at 34.6°C — despite being under the Nor’wester alert.
A day earlier, maximum temperatures soared:
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Bhubaneswar: 39.4°C
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Balasore: 38.4°C
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Sambalpur & Hirakud: similar intense heat levels
These extremes continue to pose serious risks for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.
Monsoon Stalled After Early Entry
Although the southwest monsoon made an early arrival in Odisha last week, its advancement has stalled due to weak low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Meteorologists now suggest that progress may resume only after Raja, Odisha’s mid-June festival, extending the region’s hot spell.
Interior areas such as Koraput, Rayagada, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh may see localised thundershowers, but the IMD cautions that these are isolated events and not indicative of widespread relief.
Until consistent monsoon patterns return, residents of Odisha are likely to continue grappling with oppressive weather conditions.
