Bhubaneswar: While a trough continues to trigger rainfall across Odisha amid a pause in the movement of the southwest monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted further advance of the rain-bearing system to some more parts of the state around June 23.
The thunderstorm activity accompanied by showers and strong winds last afternoon brought temperature down to 25 degrees Celsius from 34 degrees Celsius. Cuttack received the highest rainfall of 88.6 mm during the day, followed by Angul (40 mm), Bhadrak (35.4 mm) and Baripada (29.6 mm). Inclement weather in Mayurbhanj even compelled President Droupadi Murmu to travel by road to Rairangpur.
The regional meteorological office has forecast heavy rainfall at a few places in the state for two more days along with intense thunderstorm activity. Rainfall activity may intensify from June 23 onwards.
On June 20, thunderstorm accompanied by ligh
tning and gusty surface wind (50-60 kmph) may occur at one or two places in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajapati. Similar weather condition with wind speed of 40-50 kmph may also prevail in Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh.
There is also a warning for heavy rainfall at one or two places in Jajpur, Kendrapada, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph occasionally gusting to 60 kmph may also prevail along & off the Odisha coast. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea during this period.
On June 21, thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (50-60 kmph) may continue at one or two places in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati. Similar weather condition with wind speed of 40-50 kmph may also prevail in Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh.
Heavy rainfall may also occur in Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts.
The IMD added that widespread thunderstorm activity, with wind speed ranging from 30–50 kmph, is likely to persist across several parts of the state over the subsequent three days.