El-Nino takes a toll on monsoon rain in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sep 12:

Even though monsoon continues to be active in Odisha, the El-Nino effect has made a deep impact on the rainfall pattern leading to severe deficit in overall rainfall in the state.

While the state witnessed 10 low pressure areas that triggered heavy rainfall in the state by this time last year, this year the number of low pressure areas have come down to only six under the  effect of El-Nino.

“The rain pattern has been erratic under the effect of El-Nino. The distribution of cloud is also not right. Now there is a clear sky and now there is rain. The formation of low pressure has receded a lot under the El-Nino effect,” said Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) Director Sarat Sahoo.

As per information provided by the RMC, the state usually receives about 1034.2 mm of rainfall by second week of September, but this year it has been only 840.9 mm. Overall, the state has received 19 percent less rainfall than the average.

Deficit rainfall has been recorded in 16 of the 30 districts in the state leaving most of the southern and western districts affected. Kandhamal is the worst affected district with 43 percent rain deficit.

Overall, while the farmers are going to be the most affected with a drought-like situation, the declining water levels in reservoirs have made the governments announce 1-4 hour long power cuts throughout the state till June 1016.

A newly formed low pressure with promises of rain, however, has brought a little hope to the people of the state.

“The cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal has turned into a well-marked low pressure area and it is currently moving towards west-central direction. Many places of north and south Odisha is expected to experience rains in next 24 to 48 hours under its impact. The condition is likely to continue till September 16,” RMC’s Sahoo added.