Southwest Monsoon Enters Odisha; Bhubaneswar Records 90.4MM Rainfall By 2.30PM

Bhubaneswar: After an intense heatwave with temperature exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, Odisha can finally heave a sigh of relief with southwest monsoon beginning to make its presence felt in southern parts of the state.

“The monsoon has advanced to most areas of Malkangiri and some places in Koraput and Gajapati. Conditions are favourable for its further advance and it is likely to cover entire Odisha in next two days,” the MeT office tweeted.

In view of advancement of south Monsoon and current meteorological situations fairly widespread to widespread rain/thundershower with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall and also lightning activity are very likely in Odisha during next 4 to 5 days. “Under its influence, temporary waterlogging is likely in some low-lying areas and traffic congestion in urban areas. It is advised to follow traffic advisory for movement and preparations for sowing of paddy crops and precautionary measure for lightning strikes while working in fields may be taken,” it added.

Meanwhile, pre-monsoon downpour inundated parts of Bhubaneswar this morning. The city recorded 59.8mm rainfall by 11.30 am and 90.4 mm rainfall by 2.30 pm.

Notably, the weather agency had issued orange alert for moderate rain/thundershowers with one or two intense/heavy spells of rain at some places in Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Jajapur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Balangir, Bargarh, Sonepur and Sambalpur till 3.30 pm.

Though the monsoon usually reaches Odisha between June 10 and June 12, its onset was delayed by at least 10 days this time due to Cyclone Biparjoy. Odisha had also seen a delayed monsoon arrival in 2019 when it entered the state on June 21.

Last year, the monsoon arrived on June 16 and covered the entire state by June 20.