Bhubaneswar: In view of thunderstorm and lightning forecasts for several districts over the next three days, the Odisha government has directed district administrations to remain prepared for any eventuality.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has asked officials in districts placed under orange and yellow warnings by the Regional Meteorological Centre to stay alert and take necessary precautionary measures.

According to the Meteorological Department, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hailstorms, and gusty surface winds (50–60 kmph) are likely at isolated places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts. An orange warning has been issued for these areas.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) are expected at isolated places in Sundergarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Rayagada districts, for which a yellow warning has been issued.

The SRC office has advised people to keep a close watch on weather updates and take shelter during thunderstorm and lightning activity.

District authorities have also been instructed to submit immediate reports in case of any damage caused by thunderstorms, hailstorms, lightning, strong winds, or rainfall.

Earlier, light to moderate rainfall was recorded at one or two places in districts including Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, and Boudh, while the rest of the state experienced dry weather.