More rain likely in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said Odisha is likely to receive more rain under the influence of a low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal and a new weather system likely to develop later this week. A low-pressure area formed over northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal off south Odisha coast on Monday. Another low-pressure area is likely to form over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal around Friday, the national weather forecaster said. “The low-pressure area formed on Monday caused widespread rainfall over southern districts of the state. Northern districts also received rainfall at many places,” said Manorama Mohanty, director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers are likely at many places over south Odisha in the next two days. Mohanty said widespread rain is likely over the state between Friday and Sunday due to a new low-pressure system likely to form later this week. Odisha received 259.6 mm rainfall between June 1 and July 15, which is 27 per cent less than the normal. Weather experts say two consecutive rainy weather systems are expected to reduce the rain deficit in the state and boost agricultural activities.