77% rain deficit in state so far: Met

Bhubaneswar: The state has recorded 77% rain deficit so far this month, an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) report said on Monday. The state received 14mm rainfall till Monday compared to the expected amount of 59.9mm, the report added.
The Met office further said the rainfall position in 24 of 30 districts belongs to the “large deficient” category.
Among these districts, Sonepur recorded cent per cent deficit with no rainfall during the period. Besides, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Balasore and Nuapada recorded 20%-59% deficit.
H R Biswas, scientist and head of the regional IMD centre, said monsoon, which is likely to hit the state by Thursday, will cause good rainfall and make up for the deficit. Rainfall activity would increase from Wednesday, he added.
Meanwhile, mercury continued to rise in western and interior parts of the state. Biswas said the daytime temperature stood at three to four degrees above normal in some pockets and would drop after a day. On Monday, the temperature touched 42 degrees Celsius in nine towns, while Sonepur recorded the state’s highest of 43.3 degrees Celsius. At seven places, mercury hovered over 40 degrees Celsius, the IMD report said.