Pre-dawn thunderstorm hits twin cities, brings down temperature
An uprooted tree damages a vehicle in Bhubaneswar on Friday
BHUBANESWAR: Severe thunderstorm and lightning with heavy rain lashed the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack at 3.45am on Friday.
The thunderstorm continued for around 45 minutes and took the citizens off-guard. Gusty wind damaged trees in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state.
“I suddenly woke up to the severe thunderstorms at 4am. The gusty wind created an illusion of a cyclone. Because of the wind, the electricity supply was snapped for a few hours,” said Sanjib Biswal, an entrepreneur staying in Nayapalli.
Trees were damaged in the gale. Fire service team cleared trees at some places in the city. Because of the heavy rain, floodwater entered different localities in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Gouri Garden in the city was severely affected because of the heavy downpour, said a citizen.
“Staff from fire service and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) reached the locality pumped out water from the locality,” said Debaraj Pradhan, a retired government officer.
HR Biswas, director of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, said wind speed reached 93 kmph at 4am on Friday. “There was heavy rain in the early morning. Cuttack and it’s nearby areas received 7cm rainfall. Most of the coastal districts received rain,” he added.
Biswas said thunderstorm activity will continue on May 30 and 31. Intensity of thunderstorm activity will be increased on May 31, he warned.
Though the rain cooled twin cities and other coastal parts, most places in western Odisha sizzled above 40 degree Celsius.
Titilagarh and Balangir recorded 42.5 degree Celcius each.