Heavy Downpour Alert For Odisha Amid Forecast Of Above Normal Rains In July

Bhubaneswar: Thunderstorm with lightning may occur at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha till 8.30 am on July 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Tuesday.

Bhubaneswar is likely to experience partly cloudy sky with moderate rain or thundershower.

While light to moderate rain is likely to continue at a few places in the state till July 4, it may become more widespread from July 5. The weather agency has warned of heavy rain at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Rayagada districts on July 6.

Light to moderate rain/thundershower may occur at many places in the state during the subsequent two days.

Meanwhile, the rainfall deficit in Odisha has risen to 26 per cent from 24 per cent the previous day. The state received 168.7mm against its normal value of 227.0mm between June 1 and July 2. 

According to rainfall and temperature outlook for July, Odisha is likely to witness abundant rainfall activity this month. “The probability of Odisha receiving above normal rains in July is 35 per cent to 45 per cent. The rains will boost agriculture activities and help farmers in sowing crops,” the national weather forecaster said.

The met office attributed the rain deficit in June to sluggish progress of the monsoon, formation of only one low pressure system over Bay of Bengal against an average of three and weak Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO).