Bhubaneswar: The southwest monsoon arrived in parts of Odisha Wednesday, reaching southern regions of the state ahead of its usual schedule, according to weather department officials.
Over the next two to three days, the monsoon is expected to advance further into more areas of the state.
“Southwest Monsoon has set in over Odisha, today. It covered entire Malkangiri & Koraput districts and some parts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Gajapati districts of Odisha,” the IMD said in a bulletin.
Director General of IMD, Mrutunjay Mohapatra, had said Odisha is likely to experience above-average rainfall during the monsoon season from June to September.
“India, including, Odisha is likely to get rainfall at 106 per cent of the long-period average (LPA),” he said.
Odisha has already received 59-per cent above-normal rainfall in the pre-monsoon period from March to May, recording 188.9 mm compared to the average of 119.1 mm of rain during the period, Met Department sources said.
Earlier, the monsoon had made an early onset over Kerala, arriving nearly eight days before the typical date of June 1. A similar early onset was last observed in 2009.
Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha under the influence of a “well-marked” low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, and more downpour is forecast in the state till May 30, the IMD said Wednesday.
Also Read: Odisha weather news: Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms expected in these districts over next 2 days
It issued an ‘Orange’ alert (be prepared to take action) in five districts – Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Koraput and Rayagada – where lightning and thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely during the period.
“The low-pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast became well marked over the same region at 0530 hrs IST of today. It is likely to move slowly northwards and concentrate into a depression during the next 24 hours,” the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin.
Under the influence of the weather system, Odisha will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall till May 30, it said.
The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea between May 29 and June 1.
“Rainfall is likely in all Odisha districts,” said Manorama Mohanty, the director of the Metrological Centre, Bhubaneswar.
Mohanty said the low-pressure over the Bay of Bengal will create favourable conditions for the arrival of monsoon in the next two days.
“Normally, southwest monsoon reaches Odisha on June 10, but this time, it will arrive sooner,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has put all districts on alert keeping in view the IMD’s forecast for heavy rain.
The Special Relief Commissioner’s Office has asked district officials to be prepared to face any eventuality in the wake of the inclement weather.
PNN & Agencies
