Bhubaneswar: The Southwest Monsoon is set to advance further into several parts of Odisha over the next 48 hours, bringing much-needed relief from the pre-monsoon heat and intensifying rainfall across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of weather alerts, including Yellow and Orange warnings, urging residents to prepare for widespread rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
According to the latest bulletin from the IMD, conditions are favorable for the monsoon’s progress into more regions of Odisha, as well as Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Gujarat. This advancement signifies a positive turn for the full onset of the monsoon season in the state, which had experienced a stalled period after an early arrival on May 28th in some southern districts.
Rainfall Forecast and Warnings:
- June 15 (Yellow Warning): Districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal are expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, and isolated heavy rainfall.
- June 16 (Yellow Warning): Similar conditions are predicted for Gajapati, Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Koraput districts.
- June 17 (Orange Warning): A more severe alert has been issued for Sundargarh and Keonjhar districts, forecasting thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds (30-40 kmph), and heavy to very heavy rainfall. A Yellow warning remains in effect for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput.
- June 18-19: Thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds, and heavy to very heavy rainfall are also anticipated at isolated places across Odisha.
Manorama Mohanty, head of the regional IMD centre in Bhubaneswar, stated that the southwest monsoon is actively progressing across Odisha and is expected to intensify rainfall in the coming days. A cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, with the potential to intensify into a low-pressure area, is contributing to the heightened weather activity.
The renewed vigor of the monsoon is expected to significantly improve the rainfall scenario in Odisha, which had previously recorded a 24% deficit between June 1st and 11th. While the rains bring relief from the scorching temperatures, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant. The heavy rainfall may lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, disruptions to transportation, and risks from thunderstorms and lightning. The public is advised to stay informed through official weather updates, avoid open fields during storms, and prepare for potential power outages.