Monsoon advance likely: IMD forecasts progress in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, June 19: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heat wave conditions in specific areas of Odisha, including Bolangir, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, and Gajapati, over the next 24 hours. At the same time, the IMD has indicated favorable conditions for the southwest monsoon's advancement.

Additionally, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds are expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Bolangir, Sonepur, and Sambalpur, according to the IMD bulletin.

The IMD further noted that conditions are conducive for the southwest monsoon to progress into more parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Northwest Bay of Bengal, Gangetic West Bengal, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand over the next 2-3 days.

In terms of recent weather observations, heat wave conditions were observed in Jharsuguda and Bolangir districts of Interior Odisha, while warm night conditions persisted in Bolangir of South Interior Odisha.

Moreover, light to moderate rainfall occurred in coastal districts of Odisha, with isolated instances in interior districts. The highest maximum temperature recorded was 43.0°C in Nuapada, and the lowest minimum temperature recorded was 22.7°C in Hirakud in the plains of Odisha.