Bhubaneswar, May 18: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday reported further advancement of the southwest monsoon into parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman region. The IMD also forecast widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across Odisha over the coming days.
According to the Midday Weather Bulletin from the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance into additional areas of the southeast Arabian Sea, Comorin region, and east-central Bay of Bengal over the next three to four days. The IMD predicts the monsoon is likely to reach Kerala on May 26, with a margin of error of ±4 days.
Recent rainfall was recorded in Ganjam, Rayagada, Nayagarh, and Mayurbhanj districts, while the rest of Odisha remained dry. In Ganjam, Sheragada, Madhabarida, Aska, and Sankheimundi each reported 2 cm of rainfall. Boudh recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 42.9°C, while Rayagada saw the lowest minimum at 22.6°C.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thunderstorms in the next 24 hours for districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
A yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Koraput. Hot and humid conditions are also expected at isolated locations in several coastal and adjacent districts.
For May 20–21, an orange warning has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendrapara, predicting thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 50–60 km/h. The IMD cautioned that strong winds could damage plantations, horticulture, and standing crops, particularly banana and ripe paddy. Minor damage to kutcha houses, huts, and unsecured structures is also possible.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid shelter under trees, unplug electrical appliances, and keep away from water bodies and conductive objects.
The IMD also stated that maximum temperatures in Odisha are expected to remain stable over the next two days, followed by a gradual rise of 2–3°C over the subsequent five days.
