Odisha Weather Alert: IMD Warns of Severe Thunderstorms, Hailstorms; High-Level Team to Assess Damage

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe weather warning for Odisha , predicting thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds in several parts of the state on Saturday, March 22.

IMD Issues ‘Orange Warning’

In a bulletin released on Friday evening, the IMD warned that wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph would lash Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, and Deogarh districts. The worst-affected regions would be Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak, where heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were expected.

The weather office issued an 'Orange Warning' (which means "Be Prepared") for these districts.

More Districts on Alert 

The IMD also forecasted thunderstorms with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph in Nuapada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur on Saturday afternoon or evening.

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IMD Issues Safety Advisory

The IMD urged residents to take precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during the storm. 

The advisory included:

1. Keep a watch on worsening weather conditions and move to safer places if needed.
2. Stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid travel if possible.
3. Do not take shelter under trees, unplug electronic appliances, and stay away from objects that conduct electricity.

Several areas of Mayurbhanj and Balasore were hit by thunderstorms and hailstorms on Thursday night and Friday evening. According to preliminary estimates, about 4,775 people from 47 villages across 19 panchayats in Mayurbhanj were affected.

The district administration opened relief centers, provided shelter, and distributed polythene sheets to those whose houses were damaged, an official said.

High-Level Team to Assess Damage

In response to the severe weather conditions, a high-level state government team, led by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, will visit the affected areas in Bisoi block, Mayurbhanj, on Saturday. The team will hold a meeting with local officials to assess the damage and plan relief measures.

The state government remains on high alert, and further updates on relief operations are expected as the storm progresses.