Odisha braces for temperature rise from June 1 after rain spell

Bhubaneswar, May 30: Following a brief period of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms due to a low-pressure system, Odisha is likely to witness a rise in day temperatures starting June 1, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While no significant change in maximum temperature is expected over the next 48 hours, mercury levels may increase by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the following four days.

The IMD has issued a warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph in several districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Sundargarh, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada until Saturday morning.

Along the coast, squally winds of 30-40 kmph, gusting up to 50 kmph, may persist as the depression over Bangladesh continues to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area within the next 12 hours. Fishermen have been strongly advised to avoid venturing into the sea along the North Odisha coast and adjoining North Bay of Bengal.

Light to moderate rainfall is expected to continue in parts of Odisha's coastal and southern districts until June 5. The Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) at SOA University also forecast a dry and hot spell between June 1 and 3, followed by a likely increase in rainfall as the southwest monsoon advances across the state.