Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: After a prolonged dry spell, Odisha is set to experience widespread rainfall over the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar informed on Monday.

The IMD issued a yellow alert for 18 districts on Tuesday and 15 districts on Wednesday, cautioning residents to remain vigilant as thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are expected.

The IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar said a low-pressure area over the southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal persisted at 0830 hrs IST on February 23, 2026. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level and is likely to move northeastwards, weakening gradually within the next 24 hours.

Forecast for February 24

Light rain or thunderstorms are very likely at one or two places in Sundargarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Bargarh. Dry weather is expected in the remaining districts.

A yellow warning (Be Aware) has been issued for these districts, with thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km/h likely at isolated places.

Forecast for February 25

On the following day, light rain or thunderstorms are expected at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Dhenkanal. Dry weather will prevail elsewhere.

A yellow warning has again been issued for these districts, with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30–40 km/h forecast at isolated locations.

Rising Temperatures and Fog Alert

Meanwhile, daytime temperatures across Odisha have been climbing steadily. Jharsuguda recorded the highest at 36.6°C, followed by Paralakhemundi at 36.5°C and Bhubaneswar at 35.7°C. Titilagarh, Bhadrak, Talcher, Baripada, and Bhawanipatna reported around 35°C, while most other regions hovered between 32°C and 34°C. The IMD expects temperatures to drop by 2–3 degrees once rainfall sets in.

Also Read: Cyclonic Circulation Over BoB Likely to Bring Rain, Odisha On Yellow alert

Additionally, a fog alert has been issued for the early morning hours of February 24 in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Puri, urging commuters to exercise caution.