After a disappointing June that left Odisha with a 47% rainfall deficit, the state is finally receiving the much-needed heavy downpour it has been waiting for.
Torrential rains lashed several parts of Odisha in the last 24 hours, bringing relief to parched fields and raising hopes among farmers for a smooth start to the Kharif season.
Six locations recorded more than 10 cm of rainfall. Boudhgada in Boudh district topped the chart with an impressive 16.8 cm, followed by Lamtaput in Koraput (15.1 cm), Birmaharajpur in Sonepur (13.7 cm), Kantamal in Boudh (12.2 cm), Banki in Cuttack (10.4 cm), and Athamallik in Angul (10.1 cm).
The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a clear warning of continuous heavy rainfall across northern and southern Odisha for the next few days. Today, orange warnings have been sounded for Mayurbhanj and Koraput districts, forecasting very heavy rain (7–20 cm) accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Yellow warnings are in force for ten other districts — Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Balasore, Kendujhar, Sundargarh, Debagada, Sambalpur, and Anugola— where heavy rainfall is expected.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by July 3. Its influence is expected to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state for the next two weeks.
IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the first fortnight of July will see good rainfall activity. “Most parts of Odisha will receive heavy rain till July 5, with isolated very heavy showers in some areas. The geographical setup — including the highlands and Eastern Ghats — is causing more rainfall in interior Odisha compared to coastal regions. This will help compensate for the June deficit,” he added.
Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty noted that the active monsoon trough is currently driving the rainfall. “The weather is mainly cloudy with reduced day temperatures and humidity. Light to moderate rain is likely in the remaining 18 districts,” she said.
Farmers across the state are breathing a sigh of relief. With rainfall picking up from July 1, they are hopeful that the deficit will be bridged and agricultural operations will begin on a positive note. The IMD has already predicted normal to above-normal rainfall for Odisha in July, especially in coastal, interior, and central regions.
Authorities have urged people in the warned districts to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and take precautions against waterlogging, landslides, and lightning strikes.
After weeks of anxiety over deficient monsoon, Odisha is now firmly in the grip of active rainfall — a development that could prove crucial for both agriculture and water reserves in the coming weeks.
