BHUBANESWAR: After threatening to soar to alarming levels during March, mercury dropped across many parts of the State on Sunday as an anti-cyclone caused moisture incursion and triggered hailstorm in Baripada followed by showers in Balasore. The light rainfall activity is likely to continue for next 10 days, although in a scattered manner.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said south-westerly humid wind from over Arabian Sea has come in contact with dry wind from the south-east direction. Since Mayurbhanj is a hilly terrain, the condensation took place and resulted in hailstorm. Similar factors worked for rainfall in Balasore. Director, IMD, Odisha Sarat Chandra Sahu said, more places will witness the light rainfall activity around March 8-9.
Private forecaster Skymet said, due to merging of opposite winds from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, convective clouds are likely to develop. Rich in moisture content, the convenctive clouds will result in rain and thundershowers over many parts of Odisha.
“Though the rainfall activity is not expected to be widespread, many parts of Odisha will manage to get short rainy spells,” the forecaster said. Intensity of the rain is likely to vary from place to place.
Sahu said, a westerly troughline will form and move towards east coast by March 10-11 as result of which more showers are likely during March 11-13. “We expect scattered showers till March 15 in several parts of the State,” he said. Coastal Odisha will also get rains around March 8-9.
Under the impact of the showers, day temperatures may fall till March 15. The IMD said, though the mercury may rise again (mostly during nights) after March 15, it is unlikely to be severe. During the whole of March, the maximum temperature may not cross 40 degree Celsius.
Maximum day temperature will remain in the zone of 37-38 degree Celsius at some places whereas average temperature will be around 32-32 degree Celsius. Variation of one to two degree C is expected.