Bhubaneswar: Residents of Odisha are likely to get respite from the prevailing heat as thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail, and gusty winds are expected in several districts over the next 24 hours.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast thunderstorms with lightning, hail, and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts during the afternoon/evening hours. An orange warning has been issued for these districts.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph are also very likely at one or two places in Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Angul, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Nabarangpur.

Additionally, one or two places in Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, and Sonepur may experience thundershowers with lightning.

However, hot and humid conditions are likely to persist at isolated places in Bolangir, Kalahandi, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Boudh, Nuapada, Sonepur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.

The forecast indicates thunderstorm activity may continue across several parts of the state till May 7.

The RMC added day temperatures are likely to fall by 2–3°C over the next three days, with no significant change thereafter.

Today, seven places in the State recorded 40°C or above. Balangir was the hottest at 42.2°C.