Monsoon Defies Met Predictions In Odisha, Rainfall Likely After June 30

Bhubaneswar: Revising earlier forecast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) last week again predicted that the southwest monsoon will touch Odisha by June 22. To be precise, Odisha so far has witnessed thunderstorms and brief spells of rain in a few districts this month while people are still grueling with severe hot and humid conditions. Even weather experts today acknowledged that Odisha has witnessed 24 per cent less rainfall than normal so far.

Though the southwest monsoon arrived in Odisha, the experts have claimed that the onset was delayed yet again as it changed the course and advanced towards Northern Range. The position of the monsoon trough line and intensity of low pressure formed over Bay of Bengal are major factors responsible for rainfall in parts of the State. However, the erratic movement of trough has minimised rainfall here, stated weather expert Prabhat Beuria.

According to latest forecast by officials of the Regional Meteorological Department, the amount of rainfall is likely to increase after June 30 under the impact of a low pressure system over North Bay of Bengal.

Further under the impact of Nor'wester, there is a chance that Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal and a few districts in West Odisha will receive rainfall tomorrow.

The official further stated, "On June 28, interior areas of Odisha will witness long spells of rainfall. The assumed districts include- Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Nuapada."