Odisha receives 17 % deficit rainfall; Met predicts rise in intensity after July 18

Bhubaneswar: The delay in arrival of monsoon has pushed the rainfall deficit in Odisha to 17 per cent. However, the intensity of rainfall is likely to increase in the next week, predicted MeT.

Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre informed that the State has received 277 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall average of 336 mm.However, as it's less than a month since the monsoon onset, the situation is likely to improve and Odisha will witness increase in rainfall activity after July 18.

Duty officer, Laxmidhar Mohapatra informed that Gajapati district received a deficit rainfall of (-) 58 %, Balasore (- 45%), Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Keonjhar districts (-33 %).

“So far Odisha has received a deficit rainfall of 17 % and we hope the situation will improve in coming days as there are chances of increase in rainfall activity after July 18,” said Mohapatra.

Mohapatra further informed that several parts in Odisha especially south coastal districts will experience thundershowers for the next 3 to 4 days, though no heavy rainfall warning has been issued.