State covers up rainfall deficit, gets 10% more

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has seen 10% increase in rainfall from June 1 to August 28, pushing up agricultural activities and filling up reservoirs.
The state has received a total of 970 mm rainfall during this period against the normal rainfall average of 884.2mm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The state received maximum rainfall in the month of August, causing flooding in 13 districts.
The IMD officials said as many as six districts including Debgarh, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Nayagarh, Rayagada and Koraput received more than normal rainfall from June to August, while Kandhamal district has recorded more than 60% rainfall during the same period. The other 23 districts have received normal rainfall so far.
Though the south-west monsoon is subdued for now, light to moderate rain and thunder showers are likely to occur at several places in the next 24 hours.
“The monsoon trough at mean sea level continues to run close to the foothills of the Himalayas. As the monsoon is weak over Odisha, the atmospheric temperature has started rising. The existing moisture in the atmosphere after coming in contact with hot winds is causing isolated rain and thunderstorms across the state,” said weather scientist Uma Shankar Das.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms for three days from Monday.