Bhubaneswar: The Southwest monsoon has arrived in Odisha earlier than usual but its further advancement in the state is likely to be slow as there is no significant weather system over the Bay of Bengal that can enhance its progress. The monsoon current in the Bay of Bengal branch has weakened too.
Conditions for advancement of monsoon are not favourable in the next five days, said the director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Manorama Mohanty. While there is no significant rainfall activity, parts of interior Odisha are experiencing heatwave conditions.
The met office has forecast heatwave conditions in interior districts and sultry weather in coastal districts for the next three days. In its extended range outlook for two weeks (June 7 to 13 and June 14 to 20), the met office has predicted above-normal maximum day temperature for the next four days.
“Maximum day temperature is expected to be above normal by 3 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius at a few places between June 7 and 13 which may lead to heatwave conditions in interior districts,” said Mohanty.
Subsequently, there may be some respite from the sweltering heat. Fairly widespread rainfall or thundershower along with heavy rainfall activity is expected at one or two places in the first half of week two (June 14 to 20), while maximum day temperature is likely to remain near normal or slightly above normal in interior districts during the second half of the above forecast period.
Heatwave conditions are prevailing in parts of Odisha under the influence of dry north-westerly winds blowing towards the state. On Sunday, Nuapada was the hottest at 43 degrees Celsius followed by Boudh (41.7 degrees Celsius) and Balangir (41.5 degrees Celsius). Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 39.6 degrees Celsius and 38.8 degrees Celsius respectively.
