Monsoon likely to hit Orissa coast by Monday

There has been sharp fall in day temperature and rise in humidity level across the state and monsoon would arrive along with a low pressure condition, director of India Meteorological Department, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Sahoo said.

"The monsoon could have hit the state by now, but could not due to the lack of consistent rainfall. The rainfall should be uniform for early arrival of the monsoon," Sahoo said.

"We are hopeful that monsoon will arrive by June 12 or June 13," said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro after attending the state-level Natural Calamity Meeting-2011 chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Sahoo said Orissa had been experiencing normal monsoon for the last five years and last year`s drought was confined in certain pockets.

The average annual rainfall in the state was 1460 mm to 1464 mm. Between June to September, it receives monsoon rainfall of 1160 mm to 1164 mm, he said.

Sahoo said summer this year had been pleasant as the maximum temperature remained within 45 degrees Celsius following at least 30 thunder showers and hailstorms, with as many as 23 in May this year.

The mercury level remained within 40 degree Celsius in coastal districts. "However, rise in the humidity level caused difficulties for the people," he added.