Bhubaneswar, June 17: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said conditions are favourable for the further advancement of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Odisha over the next four to five days. At the same time, the weather agency has issued an Orange Warning for thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in several districts, urging people to remain alert.

According to the IMD’s latest weather bulletin, the northern limit of the southwest monsoon currently passes through Koraput and Phulbani in Odisha. Meteorological conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for the monsoon to progress further across Odisha as well as neighbouring states, including Telangana, Jharkhand, Bihar and parts of Chhattisgarh.

The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Gajapati districts. These areas are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph at isolated places till Thursday morning.

A Yellow Warning has also been issued for several districts, including Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Puri and Khurda, where thunderstorms with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely.

The weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall or thunderstorms across most parts of Odisha during the next 24 hours. During the past day, Angul district received significant rainfall, with Banarpal recording the highest rainfall of 7 cm. Khajuripada in Kandhamal and Dhamnagar in Bhadrak received 6 cm each.

Meanwhile, a squall with wind speeds of around 74 kmph was recorded in Rourkela on Tuesday evening. Heatwave conditions are also expected to continue in parts of interior Odisha, particularly in Bolangir, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts.

The IMD has advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under trees and remain away from water bodies and electrical installations during lightning activity.

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