Bhubaneswar: Monsoon rains picked up pace across Odisha on Tuesday, triggered by a cyclonic circulation over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Bangladesh. The system revived rainfall activity, bringing intermittent showers to several parts of the state, including Bhubaneswar.
Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over northwest Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood around July 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph may prevail along & off Odisha coast on July 3-4.
This has come as a good news for the state, which witnessed a sluggish monsoon in June recording a massive rainfall deficit of 60% between June 23 and 29. Around 18 districts, including Anugola (92%), Kataka (86%), Jagatsinghpur (85%), Puri (82%) Kalahandi (81%), Kendrapada (79%) and Khordha (76%), remained under large deficient category (60%), 11 in deficient category (20% to 59%) and only one recorded normal rains during the period.
With the system over Bay powering the monsoon, in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am this morning, Baripada in Mayurbhanj received the highest rainfall of 135, followed by Chandua, Suliapada and Shamakhunta, all in the same district, at 130mm , 128mm and 125 mm respectively. Bank in Cuttack district saw 75 mm of rainfall.
The weather agency further warned of thunderstorm, lightning and light to moderate rain with wind speed reaching 40 kmph at one or two places in the Anugola, Dhenkanal, Nayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Debagada, Jajpur Navagada, Jagatsinghpur, Khorda (including Bhubaneswar city}, Kataka (including Kataka city) Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Baleshwar till 4.30 pm.
The twin cities of Kataka and Bhubaneswar have been witnessing heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds since early morning.
According to IMD’s midday bulletin, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely in Odisha from June 30-July 6. Isolated very heavy may also occur in the state during this period.
