Bhubaneswar: The people of Odisha now get relief from heatwave as southwest monsoon has set in over the State today.
The monsoon has covered most parts of Malkangiri, some parts of Koraput and Gajapati districts on the first day, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Conditions are favorable for further advance of southwest monsoon over remaining parts of Odisha, during next two days, the IMD forecast said.
Meanwhile, heavy downpours lashed the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and parts of coastal Odisha on Thursday afternoon bringing in the much-desired relief from the scorching heat.
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 very likely to occur across the state during next 4 to 5 days.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Dhenkanal on Friday.
Under its influence temporarily water logging is likely in some low lying areas and traffic congestion in urban areas. So, the IMD advised people to follow traffic advisory for movement and initiate preparations for sowing of paddy crops & precautionary measures for lightning strikes while working in fields may be taken.
The Met department said a cyclonic circulation over west-central and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh- south Odisha coasts lies between 3.1 & 5.8 km above mean sea level tilting southwards with height.