Bhubaneswar: Several parts of the city on Monday became waterlogged following a thunder squall.

Two flights - Bangalore-Bhubaneswar Indigo and Hyderabad-Bhubaneswar AirAsia - had to be diverted midair to Calcutta because of the harsh weather conditions. Besides, several low-lying areas such as Acharya Vihar, Nayapalli, GGP Colony, Palasuni and Old Town faced waterlogging. The city received rainfall of 31.3mm on Monday, bringing down the day temperature to 32.8°C.

"The rainfall emerged as a major relief for the residents. However, the waterlogging problem still remains as a major challenge for various organisations, including the civic body," said Acharya Vihar resident Anupama Sahoo.

A number of commuters remained stuck at various places because of the rain, which had lasted for around two hours.

While Angul received a rainfall of 52mm, Talcher and Dhenkanal received 40mm and 25mm, respectively. Similarly, Sambalpur received a rainfall of 23mm and Cuttack 20mm. Only two places in the state on Monday recorded 40°C temperature and more. Sonepur was the hottest place with maximum temperature of 42.2°C, followed by Bhawanipatna with a maximum temperature of 40.2°C.

Weathermen forecast rain to continue for another few days. "Thunder shower is likely to occur at most places across the state bringing down the temperature. Thunder squall, accompanied with hail and gusty surface wind, is likely to occur over most parts of the state," said regional meteorological centre director Sarat Chandra Sahu.