The southwest monsoon arrived in Odisha on Friday, marking the onset of the rainy season and providing respite from prolonged heat and humidity. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon entered through the northern parts of the state and is expected to advance further in the coming days.
"The southwest monsoon has further advanced into the entire northwest Bay of Bengal, some more parts of west-central Bay of Bengal, West Bengal, Bihar, and some parts of Odisha and Jharkhand on Friday," the IMD national bulletin stated.
IMD Bhubaneswar director Manorama Mohanty confirmed that the monsoon reached the state on schedule. The bulletin indicated that the northern limit of the monsoon passed through Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district and Baripada in Mayurbhanj district.
Several areas, including parts of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj districts, received rainfall on Friday after the monsoon touched these regions. "Light to moderate rain or thunderstorms are very likely to occur at many places over all the districts of Odisha," the IMD Bhubaneswar bulletin read.
Authorities have issued alerts for heavy showers, lightning, thunderstorms, and gusty winds at various locations. "People are advised to keep watch on the weather and take shelter during thunderstorm activity to protect themselves from lightning," the local met office bulletin advised.
Only Boudh recorded a temperature of 40.1 degrees Celsius, while other places reported a drop. The IMD stated that there could be a gradual fall in daytime temperature by 2-3 degrees over the next four days.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as conditions are expected to be rough on Saturday.
