Heavy rain likely to lash state from today: IMD

Bhubaneswar: Coastal and interior areas of the state are likely to witness moderate to heavy rainfall in the next few days starting Sunday under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal that is likely to intensify into a low pressure by Sunday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“A cyclonic circulation lies over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal between 4.5 km and 5.6 km above the mean sea level. Under its influence, a low pressure is likely to form over west-central and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha and West Bengal coasts around September 20,” an IMD bulletin stated.
The IMD has warned that heavy rain will lash several district till September 22. On Sunday, heavy rain varying from 7 cm to 11 cm is likely at one or two places in Kendrapara, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts.
The state has received 1092.4 mm rainfall from June 1 to September 16 against the normal rainfall of 1067.4 mm. But there is 20% rain deficit in Bhadrak district while five districts have received more than normal rainfall.
This year, the S-W monsoon has been subdued over Odisha. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers has occurred over one or two places in, IMD sources said. The highest maximum temperature of 35.3°C was recorded in Sonepur while Bhubaneswar recorded 33.7°C and maximum humidity of 98% on Saturday.