Bhubaneswar, June 30: Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds brought much-needed relief from the sweltering heat across Odisha's twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on Tuesday morning, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of more severe weather over the next 24 hours.

Dark rain clouds blanketed the sky, turning daylight into dusk-like conditions as continuous showers lashed both cities from the early hours. Several localities witnessed strong winds along with the rain, bringing down temperatures after days of intense heat and humidity.

However, the downpour also disrupted normal life. School-going children faced difficulties in commuting, while office-goers experienced delays in reaching their workplaces due to the persistent rain and waterlogged stretches in some areas.

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued weather alerts for several parts of the state, forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds over the next 24 hours.

Despite the welcome showers in the twin cities, concerns remain over Odisha's kharif cultivation. With June coming to an end, farmers in several parts of the state are still awaiting widespread monsoon rainfall to begin paddy sowing. Agricultural experts warn that the delayed onset and uneven distribution of rain could adversely affect the cropping season.

Experts also caution that the influence of El Niño could lead to prolonged dry spells between rain events, leaving large tracts of farmland uncultivated and reducing crop yields. If the rainfall deficit persists, the state could face drought-like conditions in the coming months.

Adding to the uncertainty, meteorologists are now expressing doubts over the formation of the low-pressure system that was earlier expected to enhance rainfall across Odisha. While today's showers have brought temporary relief from the heat in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the overall monsoon outlook continues to remain uncertain, particularly for the state's farming sector.