Monsoon may arrive late in Odisha; less rainfall likely this year

Odisha Sun Times Weather Bureau
Bhubaneswar, June 4:

The advance of the southwest monsoon to Odisha would be delayed this year, the local Met office said here this evening.

“As per the satellite imagery, the southwest monsoon is likely to hit some parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the next 48 hours. However, the detailed course of its advance would be known after June 9.

As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the expected rainfall in June, July and August in Odisha would be comparatively less due to the El Nino effect in the East-Central Pacific with a possibility of about 60 percent that might dent agricultural activities in the state”, said Dr Sarat Sahu, director, Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar.

On the other hand, the Australian Met office has forecast 70 percent possibility of El Nino.

Meanwhile, temperature in most parts in Odisha remained almost normal barring some places in the western districts.

While Sambalpur was the hottest place in the state today with 41.8 degree Celsius, it was 41.5 in Titlagarh, 40.5 in Jharsuguda, 41.1 in Hirakud, 41.2 in Bhawanipatna and 40 in Sonepur.

Though temperature remained under 40 degree in most parts of the coastal districts, intense humidity made the plight of the people miserable.