Odisha witnesses thunderstorm with gusty wind

Different parts of Odisha including Capital City Bhubaneswar and Cuttack experienced heavy thunderstorm activity along with lightning, gusty wind and hail on Saturday evening under the influence of western disturbances.

Following sweltering heat over the last few days, different places in North, West and South Odisha witnessed intense to moderate thunderstorm activity. People in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bolangir, Sambalpur and Rayagada got a respite from the heat.

However, normal life was affected by the intense thunderstorm activity in some parts of the state. In a tragic incident, 13 cows died in a lightning strike at Pratappur village under Ajodhya Gram Panchayat in Nilagiri.  As per reports, as many as 25 cattle had taken shelter under a dilapidated house during the storm. At least 13 of those died due to lightning during the thunderstorm.

Kalyanasinghpur in Rayagada and Balasore witnessed heavy rainfall along with hailstone showers. Few asbestos roofs were blown away due to the gusty wind in Kashipur area and two women were injured in the process. The injured women were admitted to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued yellow warning to 17 districts which are expected to experience heavy rain and thunderstorm activity tomorrow.