Sanjeev Kumar Patro

Bhubaneswar: Even as the rainfall activities in the State have gathered momentum bringing down the whopping 56 per cent deficient rainfall to mere 17 per cent by July first week, still as many as five districts in Odisha have recorded deficient to highly deficient rainfall.

But with weathermen predicting a wet July, the met models hold good hope for the wanting districts.

As per IMD's latest rainfall data, Rayagada has posted a high of 67 per cent deficient rainfall till the first week of July. Gajapati and Ganjam followed with a deficiency of 53 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively. Koraput and Malkangiri have posted a deficiency of 21 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively.

The rainfall data with Met office here revealed that Ganjam district has recorded the driest ever month of June in last five-year period (2014-19). During the last six year period, Gajapati has witnessed dry June for the two consecutive years of 2018 and 2019.

In weather parlance, deficiency below 15 per cent is considered as normal rainfall. So, despite recording deficient rainfall to the tune of 11 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Kalahandi were declared as receiving normal rainfall till first week of July. Rayagada has also witnessed maximum departure from normal rainfall in June 2019. The June 2019 figured among one of the driest ever month in Rayagada's met history.

In contrast, Bhadrak has topped the State by recording 115 per cent more rainfall above the normal. During the first week of July excess rainfall was also recorded in majority of western Odisha districts like Bargarh (88%), Boudh (97%), Sambalpur(50%), Deogarh(52%), Sundargarh(24%) and Sonepur(31%).

As mostly southern Odisha districts have recorded deficient rainfall till date, the Skymet predictions show such districts will witness heavy rainfall today. And the districts bordering Chhattisgarh will record good rainfall tomorrow (July 7). On July 8, the State to witness only light rainfall, except major parts of Angul-Deogarh-Dhenkanal-Keonjhar region that will remain dry.

The State's coastal, northern and western Odisha districts like Jharsuguda and Sundargarh are to witness another spell of heavy rain on July 13-14. Wet spell has been predicted in nearly 51-75 per cent of districts in the State till July 20.

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