Low pressure over Bay may reduce rainfall deficit: IMD

BHUBANESWAR: While showers induced by the south-west monsoon is causing floods in several rivers in north-eastern parts of India, the monsoon has become weak in Odisha. Since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 10, Odisha has received 16% deficit rain this season so far.
IMD sources said heat and humidity have increased to uncomfortable levels in the absence of rain. However, a low pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal next week increasing the intensity of rain, IMD sources added.
“The monsoon started well in Odisha and later became subdued. So far, the state has recorded 16% less than normal rainfall. The monsoon has become weak due to several reasons. A low pressure likely to form on July 14 and 15. We are keeping a close watch on it. With this rainfall activity is likely to increase. Usually, in July and August, maximum rain of the season occurs,” said H R Biswas, director of IMD’s Bhubaneswar Centre. Earlier, the IMD forecast normal and above normal monsoon this year.
He said since June 10 the state has received 206.9 mm rainfall against the normal rainfall amount of 246.2 mm. Four districts — Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Jajpur and Gajapati — received around 40% less rainfall than normal. Eight districts have received deficit rainfall between 20% and 40% and the rest 17 districts have got normal rainfall. Koraput is the only district that has received excessive rain this season so far. The difference between rainfall in north-eastern states like Bihar and West Bengal is due to a trough from Rajasthan running up to Nagaland across central parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Assam extending 0.9 km above mean sea level. A north-south trough runs from north-east Bihar to south interior Odisha between 1.5 km and 3.1 km above mean sea level, the IMD bulletin stated.
“Troughs are responsible for clouding, rain and thundershowers apart from several other reasons for expediting the monsoon. If the trough moves in northern direction Odisha is likely to get more rain,” said Biswas.
Most parts of the state received light to moderate rainfall with Udala in Mayurbhanj district recording the highest of 91.4 mm on Saturday followed by 84.9 mm in Bhogarai, Balasore district.
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