Winter in Odisha normally starts in the month of October. However, it has eluded the State even though we are in the middle of October this year. Several parts of the State have been reeling under sweltering heat and humidity for the last one week. Even in some parts of the State, the temperature has crossed 35 degrees Celsius. Moreover, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the condition is likely to prevail in the State for the next one week.
According to weather experts, wind flowing from the west direction, scarcity of rain, and climate change are some of the main reasons behind such surge in temperature.
As per reports, people in the State are suffering due to the prevailing scorching heat in the daytime even in the Odia month of ‘Ashwina’. While the heat is unbearable during the days, the humidity is making life tough in the evenings. This kind of weather in most parts of the State has thrown normal life out of gear.
Some parts of North Odisha experienced rain during the first week of October. Subsequently, the rain has completely vanished from the State. As per the prediction by the IMD, this kind of weather condition will prevail for the next one week in the State barring a few places that will experience little rainfall. Amid the prevailing condition, the probability of monsoon retreat has increased. The monsoon is most likely to withdraw completely from the State in a day or two.
“During the transition period between the withdrawal of monsoon and advent of winter, this kind of weather condition is normally experienced,” said HR Biswas, Director of IMD Bhubaneswar.
As per the statistics of the last five years, the maximum temperature during the month of October in the State is the highest this year. In the second week of October this year, the maximum temperature in many parts of the State reached 35 degrees Celsius. Even in some places, it has reached 36 degrees Celsius. The State generally experiences maximum temperature between 32 and 33 degrees Celsius during this period of the year.
“Generally monsoon starts withdrawing from the second week of October every year. Still, the State experiences cloudy weather and little to medium rainfall at some places up to October 15-16. The maximum temperature at most of the places touches 33 to 34 degrees Celsius during this time of the year when the sky is not cloudy. However, due to the wind flow from the western direction, scarcity of rainfall, and the effect of El Nino, there is no respite from the heat wave this year,” said senior meteorologist, Sarat Sahu.