Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience rain accompanied by lightning and thunder over the next four days. Weather conditions are favourable for the onset of the northeast monsoon following the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon.
Light to moderate rainfall is forecast in several districts of northern, eastern and southern Odisha Thursday.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Bhubaneswar issued a yellow warning for 18 districts.
People have been alerted for the possibility of adverse weather conditions.
Districts under the yellow warning are Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Residents in these areas have been advised to remain cautious in view of the forecast of lightning, thunder and rainfall.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has also forecast rain and wind along the southern Odisha coast over the next three days.
Several parts of the state are expected to experience unsettled weather during the coming days. Wind speeds may reach 30-40 kmph in affected areas.
Officials issued an advisory to avoid open spaces, isolated trees and other exposed locations where there could be a risk of lightning strikes.