Odisha Hailstorm: IMD Alert as Bhubaneswar & Cuttack Face Heavy Rain, Lightning

Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were battered by a sudden nor’wester on Thursday evening, bringing heavy rain, hail, and lightning.

The storm disrupted traffic, uprooted branches, and caused waterlogging in several areas, including Pahal and Rasulgarh in Bhubaneswar. Cuttack also witnessed strong winds and lightning strikes that unsettled neighbourhoods.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert at 4:50 p.m. for Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, and Jagatsinghpur districts, warning of thunderstorms, hail, and wind speeds between 40–70 km/h for the next three hours.

The storm was linked to an upper-air cyclonic circulation over South Gangetic West Bengal and North Odisha.

Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel during peak storm hours to minimise risks.