Monsoon to arrive in Odisha in a day or two

Bhubaneswar: Monsoon is set to arrive in Odisha in a day or two as many areas received rains, and downpour was reported from one or two places over the north interior region of the state.

"Many places of Odisha have received rains in the last 24 hours and we are expecting the arrival of monsoon in the next 24 to 48 hours as conditions are favourable," IMD regional director SC Sahu said.

Informing that at least two cyclonic circulation would support the arrival of monsoon in the state, Sahu said Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district has received rainfall of about 7 cm, followed by 6 cm at Alipingal, 4 cm at Balikuda in Jagatsinghpur.

Three places in the western region recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Bolangir was the hottest with mercury reaching 41.5 degrees Celsius followed by 41.2 degrees Celsius at Bhawanipatna and 40.5 degrees Celsius at Titlagarh. Bhubaneswar, for the first time in three months, recorded temperature as low as 30.4 degrees Celsius.

All other places in the state recorded temperature below 40 degrees Celsius, IMD sources said.

Though the maximum temperature fell appreciably over coastal Odisha, there is no major change over the interior areas. The temperature was appreciably above normal over interior Odisha and normal in coastal area, an IMD report said.

IMD predicted moderate to heavy rainfall at most places in the districts of north Odisha and many areas of the southern region.