NEW DELHI: The Similipal National Park in Odisha‘s Mayurbhanj district will close for tourists for two days starting Saturday due to heavy rainfall and predicted thunderstorms, park officials announced on March 22.
Regional Chief Conservator of Similipal and Field Director of STR Prakash Chand Gogineni said, “The situation would be reviewed, and tourists might be allowed to enter the park once the weather improves.”
The park administration advised tourists planning to visit Similipal to verify the current status with relevant authorities before making their journey.
The closure decision aims to ensure visitor safety during the adverse weather conditions in the region.
The IMD has issued an ‘orange warning’ (be prepared) for several districts.
Additionally, thunderstorms with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph are expected on Saturday afternoon or evening in Nuapada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur, according to the weather office.
The IMD has advised residents to remain vigilant and be ready to move to safer locations if conditions worsen. People are urged to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid travel if possible. The advisory also warns against taking shelter under trees, recommends unplugging electronic appliances, and advises staying away from conductive objects.
Several areas in Mayurbhanj and Balasore were hit by thunderstorms and hailstorms on Thursday night and Friday evening.
Preliminary estimates from the Mayurbhanj administration indicate that 4,775 people across 47 villages under 19 panchayats were affected by the hailstorm.
The district administration has set up relief centers, provided shelters, and distributed polythene sheets to those whose houses were damaged, an official said.
Meanwhile, a high-level state government team, led by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, is set to visit the affected areas in the Bisoi block of Mayurbhanj district and hold a meeting with the local administration on Saturday.