Southwest monsoon picks up pace in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: After a brief lull, southwest monsoon advanced to more parts of Odisha on Monday and conditions are favourable for its further progress over the remaining parts within the next two to three days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Despite arriving in the state on May 28, almost two weeks ahead of its usual date of June 12, the monsoon had last advanced on May 29 after which it lost pace. It progressed 18 days later on Monday, said the weather experts.

The regional met office attributed the progress of monsoon in the state to the cyclonic circulation over north-west Bay of Bengal. “Under the influence of the weather system, a few places are likely to experience heavy rainfall in the next four days. Most places are expected to witness light to moderate rainfall or thundershower activity in the next two days,” it added.