Bhubaneswar: After a sluggish start, the southwest monsoon has gathered pace and it is expected to hit Kerala coast by June 6. Usually, the monsoon sets in by June 10 in Odisha, but this time the onset is likely to get delayed further, informed India Meteorological Department (IMD) ADG, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
The delay in onset of monsoon has left the farming community across Odisha disconcerted as they the agricultural season has already started from Akshaya Tritiya. It is now almost a month that the rain gods are yet to shower their blessings. Due to lack of adequate rainfall, the farmers are unable to carry out their agricultural works further.
“As per the latest forecast, Monsoon will reach Kerala on June 6 and will advance further. It is most likely that the arrival of monsoon in Odisha will be delayed against its stipulated date of June 10,” said Mohapatra.
Mohapatra further informed that the pre-monsoon rain has been restricted to coastal parts and the pre-monsoon thunderstorms will continue for the next three to four days.
As per IMD reports, Odisha has witnessed a 22% drop in pre-monsoon rainfall this year. Districts of Nabarangpur, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Deogarh, Nuapada, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Angul and Balasore have recorded less rainfall.
However, IMD’s regional Centre in Bhubaneswar maintains that Odisha received 161mm of pre-monsoon rain between March and May which is quite normal.