Pre-monsoon rain likely in Odisha by June first week: Met dept

Bhubaneswar: The regional meteorological centre of the IMD here today informed that if conditions are favourable, pre-Monsoon rains may hit the State by June first week bringing in much relief from the sweltering heatwave conditions.

Director of the meteorological centre Sarat Sahu said "Westerly winds which favour the onset of monsoon have strong presence in both lower and upper levels of the atmosphere over Arabian Sea. Convection is also strong and formation of a low pressure area near Kerala coast and East Central Arabian Sea is favouring the movement of the monsoon. If conditions stay favourable then the onset in Odisha could be declared by June 10."

Sahu further added that current thunderstorm activities in the State will also assist in dragging the monsoon current.

As per the initial forecast by the IMD, about 96 to 104 per cent of long-term average rainfall is likely to be witnessed this season which is considered normal monsoon.

Speaking on the temperature conditions in the State, Sahu said after June 1, mercury will continue to decrease below 40 degree Celsius in interior parts and below 36 degree mark in coastal areas of Odisha.

Earlier today, the IMD declared that the monsoon has hit Kerala, three days ahead of its normal arrival date. The onset of monsoon was marked by widespread rainfall over Kerala in the past 3-4 days.

Today, the southwest monsoon has further advanced into remaining parts of southeast Arabian Sea, Comorin – Maldives area, entire Lakshadweep, most parts of Kerala, some parts of Tamil Nadu and soame more parts of southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal. Thus the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala, today, the 29th May 2018, 3 days ahead of its normal date

-- Indian Meteorological Department