Bhubaneswar: In sharp contrast to the overall national trend, Odisha recorded 29 per cent excess rainfall during the southwest monsoon in 2026, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Total rainfall in the country stood at 759.4 mm against the normal benchmark of 868.6 mm, showing a shortfall of 13 per cent. The rainfall volume put the overall national trend in the deficient-to-normal category. Western and southern states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu bore the brunt of the shortfall.
However, Odisha received 1,484.3 mm of rainfall against its seasonal average of 1,150.2 mm, recording 29 per cent excess rainfall. Of the total, as much as 1,057.8 mm was received over just 42 days, largely under the influence of a series of weather systems.
The season’s rainfall was also the fourth highest recorded in Odisha since 1901. The state received its highest-ever monsoon rainfall of 1,542.1 mm in 1961, followed by 1,508.8 mm in 2006 and 1,499.5 mm in 1956. This year’s 1,484.3 mm was the fourth highest.
Odisha appears to have defied the monsoon trend despite El Niño conditions, emerging as the only state in the country to record excess rainfall during the June-September southwest monsoon season.
Precipitation varied widely across Odisha’s districts, with northern and central belts receiving the heaviest downpours. Baleshwar recorded the highest overall rainfall in the state at 1,907.1 mm (56% above normal).
Boudh saw the highest percentage departure, registering 70% above normal precipitation (1,769.3 mm), while Mayurbhanj, Kenduhar, & Baragada recorded heavy rainfall measuring 1,862.6 mm, 1,765 mm, and 1,705.2 mm respectively.
On the other hand, Gajapati recorded the lowest rainfall in the state at 896.7 mm (1% below normal).
The IMD data further showed that Odisha registered its highest July rainfall in 126 years of recorded history since 1901.
For the first time, the state crossed the 600 mm mark in the month of July, with the current season’s July rainfall standing at a record 627.3 mm. This surpasses all previous high July totals, including 586 mm in 2009, 584.2 mm in 2001, 552.7 mm in 1994, 496.2 mm in 2014, 491.4 mm in 1944, 474.7 mm in 1932 and 468.8 mm in 1928.
The exceptional rainfall was driven by multiple weather systems that affected the state during the month.
Meteorological scientists stated that Odisha has experienced the impact of as many as 10 weather systems during the current monsoon season, according to data from the IMD.
These systems affected the state for nearly 42 days and resulted in 1,057.8 mm of rainfall. The systems comprised two deep depressions, three depressions, two well-marked low pressure areas, and three low pressure areas.
