Thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds to lash Odisha districts till May 20

With an upper-air cyclonic circulation over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, west central Bay of Bengal, and adjoining north Coastal Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted on Friday that heavy Kalbaisakhi (Nor’wester) rains along with lightning are very likely to occur across Odisha till May 20.

Also Read: Kalbaisakhi rain, lightning likely in Odisha districts from weekend: IMD

IMD issued an Orange Warning in several districts for the next two days (48 hours) and a Yellow Warning from May 16 to May 20.

In its evening bulletin, the IMD regional centre mentioned, “People are advised to keep watch on the weather and take safe shelter during the thunderstorm activity to protect them from lightning and follow traffic advisories in urban areas. Also, harvesting of crops may be regulated judicially, and farmers are advised to use hail nets to protect vegetables and crops from hailstorms.”

Forecast and warning for next two days

For Friday (Valid up to 0830 hrs IST of 17.05.2025)

Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Odisha.

Orange Warning: (Be Prepared)-

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh.

Yellow Warning: (Be Aware)-

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Kalahandi, and Dhenkanal.

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Bolangir, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Bargarh, and Deogarh.

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Angul, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Boudh, Subarnapur, and Malkangiri.

Hot and humid conditions are very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Cuttack, and Jagatsingpur.

For Saturday (Valid from 0830 hrs IST of 17.05.2025 to 0830 hrs IST of 18.05.2025)

Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Odisha.

Orange Warning: (Be Prepared)-

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Rayagada.

Yellow Warning: (Be Aware)-

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is very likely to occur in the afternoon/evening hours at one or two places over the districts of Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Ganjam, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Sundargarh.

Hot and humid conditions are very likely to prevail at one or two places over the districts of Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Cuttack, and Jagatsingpur.

Must Read: Record-breaking heat likely this summer in Odisha!

As the State awaits the first round of pre-monsoon showers, the IMD advises residents to take necessary precautions, especially during thunderstorms and gusty winds.