Bhubaneswar, May 16: The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) regional centre here has issued weather alerts for various regions across Odisha on Friday, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds.

The forecast predicts significant weather disturbances affecting multiple areas, with a multi-hazard warning in place.

The weather agency has also issued thunderstorm alert for several places.

“Severe Thunderstorm with hail and gusty surface wind speed reaching 60 – 70 kmph, lightning, moderate to intense spell of rain likely to affect some parts of districts of Koraput, Khordha, Nayagarh, Jajpur, Balasore and Ganjam within the next couple of hours,” said the IMD.

The IMD has also issued Nor'wester alert for twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

A warning has also been issued for moderate thunderstorms with lightning, accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph and light to moderate rainfall in some parts of the districts like Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Angul, Dhenkanal, and Boudh within the next two to three hours.

Besides, an orange warning of severe thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph has been issued for the districts of Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Ganjam, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda on Saturday afternoon or evening.

Following this, officials have advised residents to take precautions against lightning strikes and sudden weather changes.

read more Odisha News