Odisha: Heavy rain lashes Bhubaneshwar, IMD issues state-wide warning
Bhubaneswar, June 6
A severe thunderstorm accompanied by heavy downpours and high-velocity gusty winds lashed Bhubaneshwar on Saturday afternoon, bringing sudden respite from the intense summer heat but disrupting normal life across several areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a state-wide warning predicting isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for Odisha.
In accordance with the weather bureau's advisory, Bhubaneswar and its peripheral regions are currently experiencing intense thunderstorm activities, with wind speeds peaking up to 50 km per hour.
While the rain briefly disrupted normal life and slowed traffic movement in parts of the town, the sudden change in weather brought a serene and soothing atmosphere with cool winds and rain-soaked streets, creating a picturesque landscape across the city.
Earlier, the IMD had predicted that the Eastern and Northeastern states would experience light to moderate rainfall.
According to the IMD predicted rainfall with isolated heavy showers in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Eastern states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, were also expected to experience rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Isolated thundersqualls are also predicted in Odisha and Jharkhand.
The IMD further advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms, avoid waterlogged areas, and take precautions against heatwaves. Farmers have been urged to protect crops from heavy rainfall and hail, and ensure livestock are sheltered with sufficient water.
With the monsoon spreading steadily across the country, authorities and citizens alike are being urged by the IMD to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines to mitigate the impact of extreme weather.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Love the smell of wet earth after first rain in Odisha! 🌧️ But seriously, people need to follow IMD warnings - stay indoors during thunderstorms. My neighbor's tree fell on a car because they ignored the alert yesterday. Better safe than sorry.
Good to see IMD being proactive with warnings. But our urban planning in Bhubaneswar is a joke - every heavy rain leads to flooding in Samantarapur and nearby areas. We need better drainage, not just alerts. Also, why no mention of crop protection for farmers in the advisory? They are the backbone of our state.
Our kids were so happy - they played in the rain for an hour straight after school! Finally, some monsoon vibes. But worried about those in low-lying areas near the river. Hope the administration has a plan for evacuation if needed. A little coordination between IMD and district officials would go a long way.
Does anyone else feel these thunderstorms are getting more intense each year? Climate change is real - we need better monsoon preparedness. Also, kudos to the BMC workers who were out clearing drains even as the rain came down. Unsung heroes.
Thank God for this rain! The temperature was hitting 45°C last week in Cuttack. 🌦️ But hope the lightning deaths are prevented - so many farmers lose their lives every year in Odisha during lightning strikes. Need more lightning arresters in rural areas.
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