Bhubaneswar: Odisha has grown warmer over the years. The State's 2018 annual mean temperature in major parts was recorded 0.5 -1 degree Celsius higher than the average mean temperature for the period 1981-2010. And summer 2019 has also been hotter than 2018 summer.
As per the data available with IMD, the annual mean temperature in 2018 was 0.5-1 deg C higher for districts like Sundergarh, Bolangir, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Khurda, Jagatsonghpur and Kendrapara. However, districts in southern Odisha, parts of Mayurbhanj and Balasore had recorded a 0.5 deg C lower annual mean temperature vis-a-vis the average mean temperature value of the period 1981-2010.
The fallout is Odisha recorded second highest lightning deaths in the country after Uttar Pradesh. And most casualties in State were reported from the warmer districts only. With around 61 deaths in 90 days period, the State had recorded this 'significant' weather event, pointed out IMD. Latest studies by IMD show lightning intensity has a direct co-relation to warmer day temperatures in a region.
The tagline of 'hotter' Odisha seems continued in 2019. As per the latest weather data, May 2019 in Odisha is hotter than May 2018. The IMD's data on Tmax (Maximum Temperature) anomaly shows the mercury remaining higher in the range of 1-3 degrees Celsius over the average normal temperature fixed by IMD as a constant to measure temperature rise or fall every year. The rise is observed across the State pre and post Fani. Data shows that April 2019 in State hotter than April 2018.
However, what seems a good news for Odisha is despite delay in onset of monsoon over Kerala, the weather parameters give positive indications on south-west monsoon progressing well in the Bay of Bengal (BoB). And the progress graph hints at monsoon might touching Odisha on and around its preset date of June 10.
As per the latest ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) release, while the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) over western pole of Indian ocean is positive, means warmer, the SST at eastern pole of Indian Ocean, means BoB, is negative, which means cooler. This is the reason for SW monsoon 2019 making rapid progress in BoB, reveal the data.
Why this is good news for Odisha? In 2018, Odisha had seen re-emergence of heat wave in the month of June. And Coastal areas had recorded temperatures over 40 degree Celsius during the dates of June 16-18. Even, mercury in the Capital city of Bhubaneswar had touched 42.3 on June 16 &17 last year. Balasore and Chandbali recorded over 40 degree Celsius on June 18, 2018.
Weather models predict overcast skies in Capital City by June 10 and pre-monsoon rains to lash Bhubaneswar by mid - June. And monsoon rains to start here by June end.