The southwest monsoon has officially kissed Odisha’s coast and made inroads into several districts, but the much-awaited heavy showers are playing hide-and-seek.
While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms the monsoon’s steady advance, residents continue to battle sultry, rain-starved days under mostly cloud-free skies.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the monsoon trough has progressed into parts of southern interior Odisha, yet widespread or intense rainfall is yet to materialise since its onset around June 12. Satellite images released by IMD paint a telling picture — vast stretches of the state remain disappointingly blue and bright.
In the last 24 hours, scattered Kalbaisakhi (pre-monsoon thunderstorms) brought gusty winds and moderate showers to at least 30 locations. Districts like Phulbani, Anugol, Kendujhar, Bhawanipatna, Rayagada, Dhenkanal, and Jajpur recorded relatively better rainfall, while most other areas experienced only passing thundershowers.
“We have seen the monsoon entering various districts of Odisha, which marks the beginning of the rainy season,” said Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre. “Areas like Koraput and Phulbani, lying close to the monsoon axis, are already receiving rains.”
Warnings in Place
- Orange Alert (June 17–18): Thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds (50–60 kmph), and moderate to heavy rain likely in several districts.
- Yellow Alert: Humid, sultry conditions with thunderstorms and winds (30–40 kmph) for coastal districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh till June 18.
The forecast also offers a sliver of hope: from June 18, daytime temperatures are expected to drop by 2–3°C, bringing the state’s maximum below 40°C in most places.
On Monday, five towns crossed the 40°C mark, with Sambalpur recording the highest at 41.6°C, followed by Jharsuguda, Hirakud, Sonepur, and Boudh. The heat has been relentless even as the monsoon hovers nearby.
Longer-Term Outlook
While the immediate forecast points to continued thunderstorm activity, the IMD has not issued any heavy rainfall alert beyond June 20. Officials caution that rainfall in June could remain below normal due to the lingering influence of El Niño.
For now, farmers, city dwellers, and meteorologists alike are keeping fingers crossed, hoping the monsoon gathers momentum soon and delivers the life-giving showers Odisha desperately needs.
Until then, the occasional Kalbaisakhi will have to do the job of providing brief, dramatic relief from the oppressive heat.
