The southwest monsoon is gaining momentum in South Odisha and is expected to become active across the state within the next two to three days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal by Monday, June 16, potentially evolving into a low-pressure system. This weather event is set to trigger heavy rainfall across Odisha, advancing the monsoon that has been stalled in parts of the state. Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD Director General, shared these insights during an exclusive interview at the Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre.
Dr. Mohapatra also highlighted the future of weather forecasting, emphasising the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. “Within the next five years, AI and Machine Learning will revolutionise weather predictions, making them more accurate and reliable,” he said. These advancements are expected to enhance numerical weather prediction models, benefiting sectors like disaster management, agriculture, and aviation by providing timely and precise early warnings.
Odisha is bracing for heavy rainfall until June 18, with the past 24 hours already recording significant precipitation. Koraput’s Lamtaput reported the highest rainfall at 60.4 mm, while districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh experienced heavy showers. The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and rain across the state on Sunday, with specific alerts for intense rainfall in Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput.
The heavy rainfall is expected to impact daily life, agriculture, and infrastructure, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay vigilant and follow weather advisories. With AI-driven forecasting on the horizon, Odisha and other regions can look forward to more precise predictions to mitigate the impacts of such weather events in the future.
