BHUBANESWAR: The IMD today forecast heavy rainfall and lightning in 16 districts of Odisha.
Thunderstorm and lightning are likely to occur in 16 districts during the day, it said, advising people in these districts to take shelter in nearby buildings or other safe locations.
The Meteorological Centre also said heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places in north Odisha during the next 24 hours, while many parts of the state are likely to receive moderate rains.
The districts likely to be hit by thunderstorm and lightning include Maurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khorda, Cuttack, Puri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Balangir.
Rainfall has already lashed several places in the state with heavy rainfall in some places in north interior Odisha. Areas in Sundargarh, Bargarh, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Gajapati, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Nawarangpur and Boudh have recorded heavy rainfall in the last few days, it said.