The southwest monsoon has made an early entry into Odisha, arriving 14 days ahead of its usual schedule, bringing much-needed relief from the summer heat but also triggering warnings for heavy rainfall across the state.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the monsoon has fully advanced into Malkangiri and Koraput districts, while partially covering Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, and Rayagada. Favourable weather conditions are expected to propel the monsoon across the entire state within the next two days, a rare occurrence in May, previously recorded only twice since 1960 – in 1999 and 2009.
The early onset, which began with the monsoon hitting Kerala on May 24, 2025, has been attributed to conducive atmospheric conditions. The monsoon’s northern limit currently passes through Mumbai, Ahlyanagar, Adilabad, Dantewada, Rayagada, Agartala, and Goalpara, with further advancement expected into parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, northeastern states, West Bengal, and Sikkim in the coming days.
Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, stated, “The southwest monsoon has touched Odisha, with significant progress in southern districts. The weather remains favourable for its rapid spread across the state.”
On Wednesday, southern Odisha districts, particularly Malkangiri and Koraput, experienced widespread monsoon showers. A well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal intensified rainfall, with districts like Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, and Puri recording light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms. Angul recorded the highest rainfall at 74 mm, followed by Dhenkanal (43 mm), Chhatrapur (34 mm), Puri and Gopalpur (29.5 mm), and Khordha (21 mm).
The low-pressure system is expected to intensify into a depression by Thursday, prompting the Regional Meteorological Centre to issue a heavy rainfall warning until May 30. An orange warning has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara, anticipating heavy rain, thunderstorms, and winds of 50-60 kmph. A yellow warning covers Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, and Rayagada. The weather department predicts no significant change in temperatures for the next week, ensuring continued relief from heat.
The active low-pressure area, coupled with a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above sea level, is driving the intense rainfall. A trough from western Rajasthan to northern Chhattisgarh via eastern Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh is further contributing to the wet spell. This early monsoon arrival, combined with the looming depression, has raised concerns about potential flooding in low-lying areas, urging authorities to stay vigilant.
Farmers in southern Odisha have welcomed the early rains, which are expected to boost agricultural activities, particularly paddy cultivation. However, the heavy rainfall warning has prompted local administrations to prepare for possible waterlogging and disruptions in coastal and interior districts. Residents are advised to stay updated with weather alerts and avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding.
As Odisha braces for an intensified monsoon spell, the state’s meteorological department continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring timely updates to mitigate any adverse impacts. The early monsoon, while a boon for agriculture, underscores the need for preparedness to tackle the challenges of heavy rainfall in the days ahead.
