Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience below-normal rainfall during the monsoon this year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s regional centre here said on Tuesday.
Giving the long-range rainfall forecast, IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, however, did not give a date for the arrival of monsoon in Odisha but said it usually reaches the state between June 12 and 15.
Mohapatra did not make any forecast on the monsoon onset in Odisha as it was yet to cover more parts of Bay of Bengal.
He said several parts of north, central and western Odisha were likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the monsoon. However, a few places in the state will receive normal and above normal rainfall.
Mohapatra said rainfall will be above normal in Odisha in June, which will help agricultural activities. The IMD did not make any forecast on the intensity of rainfall in July and August.
The monsoon will cover Konkan and maximum parts of Karnakata and some parts of north-eastern states in the next two to three days.