Bhubaneswar, June 6 -- A severe thunderstorm accompanied by heavy downpours and high-velocity gusty winds lashed Bhubaneshwar on Saturday afternoon, bringing sudden respite from the intense summer heat but disrupting normal life across several areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a state-wide warning predicting isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for Odisha.

In accordance with the weather bureau's advisory, Bhubaneswar and its peripheral regions are currently experiencing intense thunderstorm activities, with wind speeds peaking up to 50 km per hour.

While the rain briefly disrupted normal life and slowed traffic movement in parts of the town, the sudden change in weather brought a ...