Early Arrival of Monsoon in Odisha, but Slow Progress Expected

The southwest monsoon has made an earlier than usual appearance in Odisha. However, its further advancement is anticipated to be sluggish due to the lack of significant weather systems over the Bay of Bengal, which are essential for its progress. Additionally, the monsoon current in the Bay of Bengal has weakened.According to Manorama Mohanty, the director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, conditions are not favorable for the monsoon’s advancement over the next five days. While significant rainfall activity is absent, parts of interior Odisha are currently experiencing heatwave conditions.The meteorological office has forecasted heatwave conditions in interior districts and sultry weather in coastal districts for the next three days. In their extended outlook for June 7 to 13 and June 14 to 20, above-normal maximum day temperatures are predicted for the next four days.”Maximum day temperatures are expected to exceed normal by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in some areas between June 7 and 13, potentially leading to heatwave conditions in interior districts,” Mohanty noted.Some relief from the heat is anticipated later, with fairly widespread rain or thundershowers, including heavy rainfall in some areas during the first half of the second week (June 14 to 20). During the latter part of this period, maximum day temperatures in interior districts are expected to be near or slightly above normal.Currently, the heatwave conditions in parts of Odisha are influenced by dry north-westerly winds. On Sunday, Nuapada recorded the highest temperature at 43 degrees Celsius, followed by Boudh at 41.7 degrees Celsius and Balangir at 41.5 degrees Celsius. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack registered temperatures of 39.6 degrees Celsius and 38.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.