Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Sunday that the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from several parts of Odisha and is likely to withdraw from the remaining areas within 48 hours.
The normal retreat southwest monsoon from Odisha is October between 10 and 15. This year, the monsoon remained subdued over the state from October 3 to 9. As a result, there was a rainfall deficit of 70 per cent during the period.
Since the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon has started, there is no heavy rainfall forecast in the state during the next five days. Nevertheless, there may be light to moderate rainfall/thundershowers in isolated places as moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal are blowing towards the state.
In its extended range outlook for two weeks till October 24, the IMD said there will be no significant rainfall activity in the state in the next fortnight. Light to moderate rain/thundershower may occur at isolated places between October 13 and 17 but the rainfall activity is expected to remain below normal in Odisha.
The southwest monsoon has already withdrawn from Uttar Pradesh, much of Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
As per IMD data, regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, western Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have experienced excess rainfall this season.
Looking ahead, the IMD predicts above-normal rainfall in central, southern peninsular and northeastern India between October and December. Additionally, most of the country is expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures in October, except for some areas in central India and the southern peninsula.
