Puri recorded its second-highest October daytime temperature in nearly 130 years on Monday, with the mercury soaring to 36.6°C on October 5, according to historical data dating back to 1896.
The record heat surpasses the previous second-highest October mark of 36.3°C set on October 4, 2024. The intense spell comes amidst the ongoing withdrawal of the southwest monsoon, combined with an active atmospheric trough extending from Gangetic West Bengal to Madhya Maharashtra through interior Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and Marathwada.
The regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar has issued a widespread Yellow Warning across multiple districts, forecasting light to moderate rainfall, localized heavy showers, and intense thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) between October 6 and 9.
Day-by-Day District Weather Breakdown
- October 6: Thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected at isolated places across 24 districts, including Kataka, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, and Ganjam.
- October 7: Yellow Warning continues for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
- October 8: Thunderstorms and rain are forecast to cover northern and interior districts like Kataka, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, and Mayurbhanj, as well as coastal and southern districts including Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
- October 9: Precipitative activity is expected to ease significantly, with light to moderate rain restricted to isolated pockets in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Sundaragada, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj.
With high humidity levels persisting alongside sudden thunderstorm warnings, authorities have advised residents and travelers across the state to exercise caution during peak afternoon hours.
