Bhubaneswar, July 17: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a wet spell across Odisha over the next week, with widespread light to moderate rainfall expected in most regions. The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, in its midday bulletin issued Thursday, has also issued Yellow Warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall in several districts through July 24.
For the next 24 hours (till 8:30 AM on July 18), light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in parts of interior Odisha and at isolated locations along the coast. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) may occur in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and nearby districts.
A similar weather pattern is expected to persist from July 18 to 19, with continued Yellow Warnings for the same regions.
Weather activity is likely to intensify between July 19 and 20, with the IMD forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Gajapati. Thunderstorm alerts also extend to several parts of western, southern, and central Odisha.
From July 20 to 22, heavy rain is forecast in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Koraput, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds may also affect Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Balangir, and Nuapada.
The IMD has also issued state-wide alerts for isolated heavy rainfall on July 22 and 23, with widespread light to moderate rain expected across Odisha during this period.
Authorities have urged residents to stay alert, particularly in areas vulnerable to lightning and strong winds. Farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions to protect standing crops and harvested produce, especially in rain-prone districts.
The active monsoon phase is seen as a potential boon for the state, helping to reduce the rainfall deficit recorded earlier this season in various regions.
