Here is a piece of comforting news at a time when Odisha is staring at possible drought in most parts of the State.
“Monsoon is likely to revive after July 12,” said L. S. Rathore, Director-General of Indian Meteorological Department, here on Tuesday.
Dr. Rathore was in Bhubaneswar to participate in ‘Users’ meet related to severe weather events’, organised by the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre.
“An atmospheric system is now brewing over the Bay of Bengal. It may turn into a low pressure area by July 12. The system will move in north and western direction. Heavy rain under the influence of the LOPAR would occur in most parts of the State on July 13,” said IMD DG.
“It is hoped that the rainfall would make up for the below normal rainfall Odisha is reeling under. The LOPAR could revive the monsoon in the State. We are hopeful that Odisha would get normal rainfall during this monsoon season,” he said.
“Besides, the LOPAR’s impact could extend to up to central India, where acute deficit in rainfall had been recorded. Next week’s rainfall is likely to compensate the deficit to some extent,” the top weatherman said.
On the drought-like situation, western and central India were cause of concern. “While there is scope of some correction in monsoonal rain in central India, I see no hope for western India,” Dr. Rathore said.
In Odisha, western districts have experienced a long dry spell. Jharsuguda district has recorded as high as 78 per cent deficit rainfall followed by Kalahandi with 73 per cent.
Similarly, southern districts are also going through similar phase.
Since commencement of monsoon season this year, Koraput has recorded 72 per cent of deficit rainfall. Some other districts were rainfall was measured far below normal include Bolangir (-71 per cent), Boudh (-69 per cent), Sambalpur (- 63 per cent), Jajpur (- 61 per cent) and Gajapati (- 60 per cent).
