A strong trough line remains active over Odisha and extends towards the east-central Bay of Bengal, creating favorable conditions for widespread thunderstorm activity across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall, lightning, hailstorms, and strong gusty winds in several districts over the next 24 hours.

Orange Alert for 10 Districts

According to the weather department, districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kandhamal are likely to experience severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 60-70 kmph at one or two places during the next 24 hours.

Additionally, Sundargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, and Nayagarh may witness thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds of 50-60 kmph, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours. In view of the potential impact, the IMD has issued an Orange Alert for these districts.

Yellow Warning for 16 Other Districts

The weather office has also issued a Yellow Warning for Balasore, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Subarnapur, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Jajpur, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha districts.

These areas are expected to witness thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph during the afternoon and evening hours over the next day.

Kalbaisakhi Activity Likely Till June 5

The IMD has warned that pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity, locally known as Kalbaisakhi, is likely to continue across Odisha until June 5. Residents have been advised to remain cautious during periods of lightning and strong winds, particularly in vulnerable areas.

Monsoon Yet to Reach Kerala

While thunderstorm activity continues over Odisha, the southwest monsoon is still delayed in its arrival over Kerala. The IMD had earlier predicted monsoon onset over Kerala by May 26, but the seasonal rains have not yet reached the state.

The latest assessment suggests that the monsoon may advance into parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu within the next three to four days, although meteorologists say it is too early to confirm the exact date.

Temperatures Likely to Rise

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has indicated that maximum temperatures across Odisha could rise by 2°C to 3°C over the next four to five days despite intermittent thunderstorm activity.

Experts Say Odisha’s Monsoon Depends More on Bay of Bengal Conditions

Agricultural meteorologist Surendranath Pashupalak stated that global ensemble weather models and current atmospheric conditions indicate a likely monsoon onset over Kerala between June 1 and June 4. If atmospheric conditions remain weak, the onset could be delayed further to June 5 or June 6.

He emphasized that a delayed monsoon arrival in Kerala does not necessarily mean an equivalent delay for Odisha. Historical weather patterns show that monsoon progress over Odisha is often influenced more by atmospheric developments over the Bay of Bengal than by the exact date of monsoon onset in Kerala.

Past Examples Show Variable Monsoon Progress

According to weather experts, during El Niño years such as 1997 and 2015, enhanced activity over the Bay of Bengal helped the monsoon advance rapidly into eastern India. However, in 2009, monsoon progression was slower and less organized.

Current atmospheric indicators suggest that Odisha is likely to experience a transitional pre-monsoon phase during the coming week, marked by thunderstorms, fluctuating temperatures, and changing weather patterns before the eventual arrival of the southwest monsoon.