Monsoon likely to enter Odisha in 48 hours, says IMD

The southwest monsoon may set in over Odisha in the next 48 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bhubaneswar centre said on Wednesday. 

"Conditions are favourable for the onset of southwest monsoon over Odisha in the next 48 hours," Bhubaneswar meteorological centre tweeted. 

Senior IMD scientist R.K. Jenamani said, “The southwest monsoon is likely to touch Odisha in the coming 48 hours or the day after the first day of the three days of the Raja festival. Normally, monsoon covers Odisha by June 17. Considering this, we have two days left and there is ample scope that the entire state will be covered. So it can’t be said that the monsoon’s arrival is late this year.” 

Meanwhile, pre-monsoon rainfall has already started in various parts of the State, giving the much-needed respite to people from the scorching heat. 

As per the information shared by the IMD’s regional centre in Bhubaneswar, Balasore recorded maximum rainfall of 54 mm by 5.30 pm on Tuesday. It was followed by Keonjhar (21.6mm), Daringbadi (20mm), Paralakhemundi (18.6mm), Angul (18 mm), Jajpur (14mm), Nayagarh (13.2mm) and Nuapada (8mm).

At the same time, as many as 16 districts have been issued with a yellow warning as one or two places of these districts are likely to witness thunderstorm accompanied with lightning from 8.30 am of June 15 up to 8.30 am of June 16. These districts are Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur.  

Similarly, ‘yellow warning’ has been sounded for as many 13 districts as one or two places of these districts are likely to experience thunderstorm with lightning from 8.30 am of June 16 to 8.30 am of June 17. The districts are Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Bhadrak.