Bhubaneswar: The IMD Regional Centre here has issued lightning, thunderstorm and heavy rain alert for at least 18 districts of Odisha till 2 PM today.
As per the latest Nowcast of the IMD distrits like Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Ganjam, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Deogarh and Kandhamal are very likely experience intense spells of rain along with thunderstorm and lightning during the alerted period.
Weatherman has cautioned people living in these districts against venturing out of their homes during the alerted period and advised to move to safe places to avoid any kind of eventuality.
Earlier, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi had also predicted more rain in the state starting from today and asked the Collectors of at least 26 districts to remain alert.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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