Odisha likely to receive less monsoon rain this year

The early arrival of the southwest monsoon over the Indian coast has brought a major relief for people from the scorching and record-breaking spell of the intense heatwave that continues to sweep the country including Odisha.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a normal monsoon this year. However, weather expert Surendranath Pasupalak said that there is likelihood of Odisha receiving less rainfall than normal, which may upset the farmers.

Notably, IMD has also announced a slight reduction in the new normal for all India rainfall based on decadal data.

According to IMD, the LPA rainfall for the June to September period over the country as a whole for the period 1971-2020 is 87 cm. 

This 87 cm is the new normal all India rainfall from this year that the IMD has introduced replacing the earlier 88 cm based on 1961-2010 data.

"Analysing various models, the international meteorological department has also predicted that the rainfall in the State due to monsoon from June to September will be around 40% less. While the rainfall during July and August will remain less than normal," said Pasupalak.

Reportedly, there is less chance of rainfall due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. However, from mid-September and October, it is predicted that the State will receive above-normal rainfall, added Pasupalak.

(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)