Storm Havoc in Mayurbhanj: Two dead, hundreds of homes damaged

At least two persons were killed, five others seriously injured, and more than 200 houses damaged after a powerful nor’wester storm struck Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Sunday afternoon, officials said. The deceased were identified as P. Naik (54) and Malati Mahanta (45) , who died when a tornado-like system hit them near National Highway-220 around 4 pm . Five critically injured persons were shifted to the medical college in Keonjhar, while about 40 others sustained minor injuries in the disaster.

Authorities said the storm damaged homes across 12 villages , with Kia and Kankada villages under Karanjia block among the worst affected. Several trees and electricity poles were uprooted, disrupting power supply and road connectivity across the region. Eyewitnesses described the intensity of the winds as extraordinary, with one resident stating that an autorickshaw and a scooter were lifted into the air and hurled into a nearby water body in Kankada village. Other affected villages include Dumuria, Pichuki, Badagaon, Batapalasa, Salarapada, Kunjia, Purunapani, and Mendhasinga.

Rescue and restoration operations began soon after the incident, with teams from the local administration, police, and fire services rushing to the affected areas to assess damage and assist residents. Officials said the government will provide ₹4 lakh ex-gratia to the families of the deceased as per norms.

A nor’wester locally known as Kalbaisakhi in eastern India is a sudden, violent pre-monsoon thunderstorm that typically occurs between March and May. These storms originate from the northwest and are marked by very strong gusty winds, heavy rain, lightning, and sometimes hail, often developing rapidly and lasting for a short duration but causing severe localised damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an “Orange Warning” (be prepared) for Mayurbhanj district on Monday, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail, and gusty winds. A “Yellow Warning” (be aware) has also been issued for Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts, while thunderstorms with lightning and strong surface winds are expected in Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors during storms and follow safety advisories as weather conditions remain unstable.