The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in Odisha over the next few days, providing much-needed relief from the sweltering heat that has been affecting residents. A yellow warning has been issued for the area. Additionally, widespread rain is forecasted for Northeast India, prompting advisories for residents to take precautions amid adverse weather conditions.
IMD Scientist Sanjeev Dwivedi informed ANI, “The temperature yesterday was high, but the scenario is changing today… People are facing difficulty due to the heat conditions in adjacent areas. Rainfall and thunderstorms will occur in the coming time… A yellow warning has been issued for hot and humid weather…” He noted that Jharsuguda recorded a staggering temperature of 45.3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, marking the second-highest temperature for April.
Flight disruptions have also been reported due to adverse weather. An Air India Express spokesperson stated, “Due to adverse weather conditions en route to Bhubaneswar, one of our flights from Delhi was diverted briefly to Jaipur. When the weather improved, the flight resumed its operations to Bhubaneswar.”
The IMD has issued a weather warning for various parts of Northeast and Eastern India, predicting widespread rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in the coming days. According to the IMD, “Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall along with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (40-60 kmph) with heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and Northeast India during the week.”
The agency further cautioned that isolated, extremely heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of the region, particularly on April 29 in Assam, Meghalaya, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim.
In light of the adverse weather, authorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions. Citizens are urged to stay indoors during storms, avoid open areas during lightning activity, and exercise caution while traveling as gusty winds and heavy rain may lead to disruptions.
On another note, the Union Health Secretary had previously communicated with all states and Union Territories regarding heatwave preparedness. The advisory recommended the establishment of dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at health facilities, ensuring adequate ambulance readiness, disseminating early warnings for timely action, and enabling real-time reporting of heatstroke cases on the Ministry’s IHIP portal. (ANI)
