Finally, monsoon hits Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Finally, the southwest monsoon hit Odisha on Friday. The India Meteorology Department (IMD) has issued heavy rainfall warning in most parts of the state in the next three days.
“Rainfall activities have started in almost all coastal and some interior districts of Odisha after the onset of monsoon on Friday. Conditions are becoming favourable for further advancement of Southwest Monsoon into rest parts of Odisha during next 48 hours,” said director IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre, H R Biswas.
A low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal paved the way for onset of monsoon in the stat while the monsoon circulation has also picked up causing wide spread rain across the state. Due to the low pressure area squally weather with wind speed reaching 30-40 km per hour gusting to 50 km per hour is likely prevail over the coast. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea, an IMD bulletin said.
“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places with thunderstorm and lightening. People have been requested to remain cautious,” said Biswas.
On Friday Baripada recorded highest rainfall of 22 mm followed by 21 mm in Balasore and 19.3 mm in Bhubaneswar.
The rains provided much needed relief to the people of the state from oppressing high humidity levels prevailed across the state for the last few days. People have started making plans to celebrate the arrival of monsoon and rains during the weekend.
“Rain is my favourite season and to welcome the monsoon we friends are planning to go on a long drive to Puri during the weekend,” said Anil Rath, a corporate employee.
Schools that reopened after the summer vacation on Friday registered thin attendance due to the rains.
After hitting the state the monsoon has covered all coastal districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Gajpati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj and parts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul and Keonjhar in the last 24 hours.