Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: Odisha has crossed the 1,000 mm mark in cumulative monsoon rainfall this year, with the state recording 1,006.5 mm of rain between June 1 and August 19, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Data from the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, showed that the state received 220 mm more than the normal rainfall of 786.5 mm during the period. The overall departure stands at 28% above normal, placing Odisha in the ‘excess’ rainfall category so far this monsoon.
Most districts have received excess or large excess rainfall. As many as 14 districts recorded excess rainfall, ranging between 20% and 59% above normal. These include Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur.
Seven districts recorded large excess rainfall, with departures of 60% or more. Boudh registered the highest departure at 106%, receiving 1,469.9 mm. Sonepur recorded 1,495.1 mm, 80% above normal, while Bargarh received 1,438.7 mm, 72% above normal. Kendujhar, Dhenkanal, Balasore and Kendrapada also remained in the large excess category.
Meanwhile, five districts reported normal rainfall, while five others recorded deficient rainfall. Gajapati recorded the lowest rainfall among the deficient districts at 413.2 mm. Kalahandi, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur were also in the deficient category.
Importantly, no district has so far recorded large deficient rainfall this monsoon. IMD officials attributed the significant surplus to active monsoon systems over the Bay of Bengal, which have triggered widespread rainfall across Odisha.
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