Bhubaneswar: The remnants of tropical storm Podul that made landfall in Vietnam early today, and has headed for Myanmar as a depression, will merge in the north Bay of Bengal (BoB) to give a boost to the developing Low Pressure Area (LOPAR) in the region.
The forecast predicts that the LOPAR in north BoB will further be developing into a depression by September 2-3, which will bring extensive rainfall in Odisha, especially in Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul, Ganjam, Rayagada, Deogarh and Kandhamal.
As per the forecast of US-based Climate Prediction Centre (CPC), the aforementioned districts will receive rainfall amounting to 125-135 mm during the week ending on September 4. During the week of September 5 - 11, Odisha will witness rainfall in the range of 100 - 85 mm, except Nabrangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and adjoining Kalahandi, which will record 125mm rainfall.
Though Skymet didn't foresee any looming flood threat over Odisha following the depression rains, flash floods may come in Vansadhara as the river basin will receive extensive rainfall due to the developing weather system, feel met experts.
But the CPC prediction has no good news for the north coastal Odisha. The forecast predicts that the region in the State will not see any fair amount of precipitation till September 11. As a result, the districts of Balasore, Angul and Deogarh may end this Monsoon in deficient rainfall category.
As per CPC data, Odisha has seen nearly 370 mm rainfall from the total of 873.9 mm rainfall till date during the last 26 days. This shows the State receiving nearly 42 per cent of its Monsoon rainfall this season in just 26 days. This is the reason why the State had witnessed flash floods in many districts this month. Like the national trend, the Monsoon rainfall in Odisha has also been uneven this year, which is a telltale sign of climate change, feel Met experts.
Though IMD has put Odisha in normal rainfall bracket as the State has recorded only 2 per cent deficient rainfall till date, the CPC, however, has put Odisha's rainfall as below normal. And CPC data reveals, since the arrival of Monsoon, Odisha received rainfall in excess of the normal only after August 5.