MeT Dept issues thunderstorm alert for 16 districts

Bhubaneswar: The Regional Meteorological Department has issued thunderstorm alert for 16 places in the state till 12:30 pm today. Heavy rains accompanied with lightning are also predicted in these places.

The alert has been issued for Puri, Cuttack, Kandhamal, Balasore, Khurda, Talcher, Boudh, Bhawanipatna, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Ganjam and Nayagarh districts.

As it is, normal life has been affected at many places across the state due to incessant rains caused by the southwest monsoon. Even twin cities Cuttack –Bhubaneswar and Rourkela have also been witnessing heavy rains for the past two days.

According to sources, some houses have been damaged due to the rains in Rourkela. However, there has been no report of any loss of lives.

At Konark sun temple, tourists had to face hardship as they had to walk through knee-deep water due to waterlogging at the North gate of the temple yesterday after heavy rains. Later, ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) officials used pumps to drain the water out of the temple premises.