Monsoon arrives early in Odisha | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The south-west monsoon set in over Odisha on Wednesday, at least 14 days before its usual arrival date around June 12. It prompted the govt to work on a plan to prevent urban floods and waterlogging.The plan includes drainage upgrades, emergency response protocols and steps to protect urban infrastructure, public health and livelihoods. All ULBs have been asked to complete 100% inspection, cleaning and repair of drains and manholes. Emphasis is on clearing encroachments and fixing broken covers to ensure seamless stormwater drainage. Besides, each ULB will operate dedicated monsoon control rooms to address complaints related to flooding, blocked roads and water supply.On the first day of its arrival, the monsoon covered Malkangiri and Koraput districts and some parts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Gajapati, IMD sources said. Last year, the monsoon arrived in the state on June 8 but remained sluggish. Meanwhile, the low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast on Tuesday intensified into a well-marked low pressure and is likely to intensify into a depression during the next 24 hours. “The low-pressure area will trigger heavy rain in some parts of the state and help in the advancement of monsoon to other parts of Odisha in the next few days,” said director of IMD’s regional centre, Bhubaneswar, Manorama Mohanty. The south-west monsoon is crucial for the rain-fed kharif cultivation. In the last 24 hours, fairly widespread rainfall was experienced across Odisha with maximum rainfall of 102 mm at Pattamundai in Kendrapada district followed by 100 mm at Kotagarh in Kandhamal district. Heavy rainfall was recorded at 12 stations. According to IMD’s forecast, heavy to very heavy rain is likely in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam districts on Thursday, while other districts are likely to witness moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning. Rainfall is likely to continue across the state till June 1.On the long-range prediction of rainfall, director general of IMD Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said Odisha is likely to witness above-normal rainfall, around 106% in June and also during the rainy season between June and September this year.In the wake of widespread rainfall forecast, the special relief commissioner (SRC) has asked all district collectors to stay alert for any eventuality. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the deep sea from Tuesday along and off Odisha coast till May 30.
