Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorms accompanied by rain brought relief from prevailing heatwave conditions across several districts of Odisha Thursday, even as seven towns continued to record temperatures above 40 degree Celsius.
Thunderstorms, rain and lightning were reported in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Angul, Phulbani, Boudh and Rourkela during the afternoon and evening hours, while hailstorms were reported from parts of Bolangir district and Binka area in Sonepur, an IMD official said.
Sonepur recorded 30.2 mm rainfall, followed by Angul (18 mm), Sundargarh (13.8 mm) and Phulbani (10.8 mm).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said day temperatures are expected to fall by 2 to 3 degree Celsius over the next three days, with no significant change thereafter.
The IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre issued an ‘orange warning’ (be prepared to take action)for Mayurbhanj and Balasore for Friday, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning, hail and gusty winds.
A yellow warning (be aware) has been issued for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Sundergarh districts for Friday.
However, hot and humid weather would prevail in the districts of Bolangir, Kalahandi, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Boudh, Nuapada, Sonepur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam & Gajapati Friday, the weather office said.
Similar weather conditions are expected to prevail in the state for another five days, it said.
The IMD advised people to take precautions during thunderstorms, avoid exposure to lightning, seek safe shelter and follow traffic advisories in urban areas. Farmers were also advised to use hail nets to protect crops.
Meanwhile, Bolangir remained the hottest place in the state at 42.2 degree Celsius, followed by Boudh (42), Nuapada (41.6), Titlagarh (41.3), Dhenkanal (40.9), Bhawanipatna (40.6) and Sonepur (40.4).
