Bhubaneswar, June 21: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Orange and Yellow weather warnings for several districts of Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, heavy rainfall and heat wave conditions on June 22.

According to the IMD’s latest mid-day bulletin, an Orange Warning has been sounded for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts. These areas are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong surface winds blowing at speeds of 50-60 kmph at isolated locations.

The weather office has also predicted heat wave and warm night conditions in isolated pockets of Sambalpur district on Monday.

A Yellow Warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Nabarangpur, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts, where thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph are expected at one or two places.

Additionally, isolated areas in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur and Deogarh districts may witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds of 30-40 kmph.

The IMD has further forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Rayagada and Koraput districts. Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in parts of Jharsuguda district, while hot and humid weather may affect Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts.

Residents have been advised to stay alert and take adequate precautions against lightning strikes, strong winds, heavy showers and heat-related health risks.