Bhubaneswar: Pre-monsoon rainfall activity has commenced across several parts of Odisha, bringing relief from the prevailing heat wave.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Umasankar Das, pre-monsoon rainfall has already started in different parts of the state.

Conditions are favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon into some parts of Odisha during the next 2-3 days, the IMD said.

The weather agency has forecasted thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds in several districts for today.

The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nayagarh districts. These areas are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph at one or two places.

A Yellow Warning has been issued for Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts. Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are likely to occur at one or two places.

The weather department has advised people in the affected districts to remain alert during thunderstorm activity and take necessary precautions against lightning and strong winds.