Monsoon brings relief to state

Bhubaneswar:The South-West Monsoon hit Odisha on Friday after a delay of 10 days. The India Meteorology Department (IMD) issued heavy rainfall warning in most parts of the state in the next three days. Conditions are favourable for advancement of the monsoon in the next 48 hours, said director of IMD, Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas.
A low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal paved the path for the onset of monsoon while monsoon circulation has picked up causing widespread rain.Due to the low pressure area squally weather with wind speed reaching 30 to 40 km per hour gusting to 50 km per hour is likely prevail over the coast for the next two days. Fishermen are advised not to venture out into the sea, an IMD bulletin said.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places with thunderstorm and lightning. Gurundia in Sundargarh district recorded the highest of 120 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours. Similarly, Sukinda received 110 mm, Binika, Soro and Daitari 90 mm each. On Friday, Baripada recorded the highest rainfall of 22 mm followed by 21 mm in Balasore and 19.3 mm in Bhubaneswar.
The rains provided much relief to the people from the oppressive humidity levels. People have started making plans to celebrate the monsoon during the weekend. “Monsoon is my favourite season and we are planning a long drive to Puri,” said Anil Rath, a corporate employee. Schools that reopened after the summer vacation on Friday registered thin attendance due to the rains. The monsoon has also cheered the farmers.
The monsoon has already covered Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj and parts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul and Keonjhar districts in the last 24 hours. For Saturday, the forecast said rain or thundershowers may occur at most places.