Will rain dampen Diwali celebrations in Bhubaneswar?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a change in weather conditions from October 19, raising concerns of rain during the Diwali celebrations in Bhubaneswar.

Isolated light-to-moderate rain and thunderstorms are expected in parts of the southern and coastal districts on October 19.

For Bhubaneswar, the 24-hour forecast indicates morning fog or mist followed by partly cloudy skies, with temperatures hovering around 33 and 22 degree Celsius. 

Yellow Warnings Issued

However, the MeT department has placed Yellow (Be Aware) warnings for October 19 and 20 in Khordha (of which Bhubaneswar part of) along with Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts.

According to the IMD, dry conditions will prevail across Odisha till the morning of October 19. From Sunday onward, one or two places in Malkangiri, Rayagada, and Koraput districts are likely to witness light-to-moderate rain or thunderstorm activity, while the rest of the State will remain dry.

Similar isolated activity may continue through October 20 and 21, mainly confined to southern Odisha and nearby coastal areas.

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The IMD attributes the short dry spell to the absence of any significant synoptic system over the region. However, the expected convective activity from October 19 signals a short-lived return of pre-winter instability, limited in extent but potentially marked by lightning and gusty winds in southern and coastal Odisha.