Kalbaisakhi storms to batter Odisha amid intensifying heatwave conditions​

Odisha is expected to witness a series of Kalbaisakhi (Nor’wester) storms, bringing temporary relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for various districts, forecasting thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hailstorms over the next few days.​

Thunderstorm Warnings Across Multiple Districts

The Regional Centre of IMD in Bhubaneswar, on Monday, warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph in several districts, including Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore.

An orange alert has been issued for these areas, indicating a higher likelihood of severe weather events. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Khorda, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph. 

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Heatwave Conditions Persist

Despite the ongoing storms, heatwave conditions continue to affect parts of Odisha. The IMD has reported maximum temperatures ranging between 39 to 42 degrees Celsius in interior regions, with some areas experiencing temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius.

Further, the department has forecasted above-normal temperatures and more heatwave days for the state during the April–June period.

Outlook for the Coming Days

The IMD predicts that the Kalbaisakhi storms will continue to affect the state until April 17, after which the weather is expected to stabilize. However, temperatures are likely to remain high, with the possibility of another heatwave spell in the coming weeks.

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Meanwhile, the state government has rescheduled school and office timings in response to the heatwave conditions and has advised residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours.