BHUBANESWAR: Even as the met office has predicted advancement of the southwest monsoon in the state, its prolonged pause has left large parts of western Odisha dry with scorching heat and high humidity making life miserable.
Currently, Odisha has recorded a 48 per cent rain deficit between June 11 and 17. With monsoon experiencing a sluggish phase, the state recorded 78 pc deficit rains between Saturday and Sunday morning. About 27 districts remained in deficient, large deficient or no rains category during the period.
The monsoon’s tardy progress over the state since June 15 has triggered a severe dry spell with maximum temperatures in western and interior districts such as Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Boudh consistently crossing 39 degree Celsius mark.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature departure was in the range of 3 degree C to 6 degree C over most parts of Maharashtra adjoining Madhya Pradesh, north interior Karnataka, north Telangana, many places of Chhattisgarh, east Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar as well as some parts of Jharkhand and western Odisha on Sunday.
Boudh recorded the maximum temperature of 40.6 degree C on the day, followed by Jharsuguda 40 degree C, Sambalpur 39.8 degree C, Hirakud 39.3 degree C, Sundargarh 38.5 degree C and Balangir 38.2 degree C.
The temperature in Jharsuguda was above normal by 6 degree C, Sambalpur (5.4 degree C), Sundargarh (3.7 degree C) and Balangir (3.6 degree C). Coastal districts experienced sweltering conditions too. Bhubaneswar recorded 37 degree C (3.4 degree C) and Cuttack 35.8 degree C (2.3 degree C).
Weather experts said hot and humid weather conditions may prevail in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts on Monday too.
According to the regional met office, the maximum temperature surged by about 5 degree C at one or two places in north interior districts in the last 24 hours.
A comparatively weak start of the monsoon has replaced the rainy weather with stagnant heat. It has also disrupted the kharif sowing activity.
Meanwhile, the regional met office said conditions are favourable for further advancement of southwest monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar and some parts of Chhattisgarh within two days.