The India Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm warning for several districts in Odisha, forecasting lightning, light to moderate rainfall, and gusty winds over the next few days due to changing weather conditions.
According to IMD, a trough associated with a Western Disturbance currently extends from north Haryana to north Chhattisgarh, passing across Uttar Pradesh and eastern Madhya Pradesh at an altitude of 3.1 to 12.6 km above mean sea level. This system is influencing weather patterns across eastern India, even as earlier upper air cyclonic circulations over northwest Madhya Pradesh and the west-central Bay of Bengal have weakened.
Under its impact, several districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, and Koraput are likely to experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers. The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Mayurbhanj and Balasore, where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph are expected at isolated places. A Yellow Warning has also been sounded for districts such as Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Kalahandi, Koraput, and Malkangiri, with wind speeds likely to range between 30–40 kmph.
For March 22–23, similar weather conditions are expected to persist, particularly over northern and coastal districts like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Cuttack, Puri, and Ganjam. A Yellow Warning remains in place for Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, indicating thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds. By March 23–24, rainfall activity is likely to reduce significantly, with only isolated light rain expected in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore, while most parts of the state are forecast to experience dry weather.
Residents are advised to remain cautious during thunderstorms, avoid open areas during lightning, and follow official weather updates to ensure safety.
