Thunderstorm likely to mar Mahashivratri celebrations in these Odisha dists

Bhubaneswar: With the shrines of Lord Shiva are almost packed with a sea of devotees celebrating the Mahashivratri today, the rain is on the cards for several Odisha districts on the auspicious occasion.

According to the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, the thunderstorm is likely to occur at many places including coastal districts of the State today.

The thunderstorm with gusty wind and lightning likely to occur at one or two places over Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Khordha, Puri and Gajapati districts between March 4 and March 5, the Bhubaneswar MeT said in a bulletin today.

The light to moderate rainfall warning was issued till March 8.

The thunderstorm with gusty wind and lightning is likely at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara between March 5 and 6.

The districts like Khordha, Puri, Ganjam and Gajapati may experience thunderstorm between March 6 and 7. The warning has also been issued for Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts between March 7 and 8.

As the thunderstorm is likely along and off north Odisha coasts and the north-west Bay of Bengal, the fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea.

However, there will be no large change in day and night temperatures till next 2-3 days over the districts of Odisha.