Bhubaneswar, Jun 18: Even as monsoon activity continues over Odisha, residents are unlikely to get immediate relief from the scorching heat and oppressive humidity. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Regional Centre in Bhubaneswar has warned that hot and humid conditions will persist across coastal Odisha for the next three days, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected to continue across the state for up to five days.

The weather office issued a Yellow Warning for hot and humid conditions in 14 coastal districts and a Heatwave Warning for Sambalpur during the next 24 hours.

Monsoon Advancing Across Odisha
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon remains active and is expected to cover the entire state within the next four to five days.

The presence of a trough line and favourable monsoon conditions is likely to trigger widespread Kalbaisakhi activity, resulting in thunderstorms and rainfall across several districts over the coming days.

Fishermen Warned As Sea Turns Rough
The IMD has also issued a warning for fishermen, advising them to remain cautious as squally weather conditions are expected along and off the Odisha coast from June 18 to June 22.

Wind speeds are likely to reach 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, during this period. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough, making fishing operations potentially hazardous.

Also Read: Monsoon On, Rain Off in Odisha: El Niño Plays the Game

Orange Alert For 12 Districts
For the period ending at 8:30 am on June 19, the IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati districts.

These districts are likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 50-60 kmph at one or two places.

Orange Alert Expands To Coastal Odisha
For the period between June 19 and June 20, an Orange Warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh districts.

These districts are likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of 50-60 kmph.

Meanwhile, a Yellow Warning has been issued for Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts, where wind speeds may touch 40-50 kmph.

Humid Conditions To Persist In Coastal Belt
Over the next three days, the IMD has warned that hot and humid weather is very likely to prevail at isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Khordha districts.

The combination of high moisture levels and elevated temperatures is expected to make conditions uncomfortable despite intermittent rainfall.

Also Read: Good News For Odisha: Monsoon Fireworks May Begin in June Last Week

June 20-21: Thunderstorm Activity Continues
For the period between June 20 and June 21, a Yellow Warning has been issued for Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh districts, where thunderstorms with lightning and winds of 40-50 kmph are likely.

Another Yellow Warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts, where winds may reach 30-40 kmph.

Hot and humid conditions are also expected to continue over several coastal and southern districts during this period.