Bhubaneswar, June 6: The meteorological centre today predicted that pre-monsoon rain would hit the city in the next 24-48 hours. The showers, the weathermen said, would continue till the rains finally arrive here on June 10.

The weathermen said that rain and thundershowers were likely to occur in both coastal and interior districts. The rain could get heavier during June 10 and 11 signalling the arrival of the monsoon.

"The southwest monsoon is heading steadily towards the state and it might start its onset around June 10 and 11. The pre-monsoon rain will begin in a day or two. Although, the showers might not be that heavy, but they will definitely bring down the mercury level in the city," said Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu today.

The Met department's prediction was greeted with relief as residents here and across the state have been dealing with the intense heat and humid conditions. The overcast sky during the past two days has added to the problem. A brief spell of rain in the state capital today hardly managed to bring any relief to the residents.

"The weather is just awful at this moment. The overcast sky and absence of wind has made it even more unbearable. I hope the Met department has predicted the dates correctly and we shall have some rain in the next day or two bringing us relief from this terrible heat and humidity," said Prakash Mishra, a resident of Nandan Vihar.

The India Meteorological Department has said that the southwest monsoon was gradually moving further into the country.

Latest observations show that the monsoon today has advanced into most parts of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu. It will reach Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours.

"A cyclonic circulation has formed over north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, which is contributing to the overcast situation. A trough line also persists over the coastal part of the state and this makes the condition favourable for rain. These are the results of the advancement of monsoon," said an official of the meteorological centre.

The local meteorological centre has recorded rain in many parts of the state today including Aska in Ganjam (4cm), Keonjhar (3cm), Tikabali in Kandhamal (3cm), Rengali in Angul (3cm), Krishnaprasad in Puri (3cm), Paralakhemundi in Gajapati (3cm), Chhatrapur in Ganjam (3cm), Athgarh in Cuttack (3cm), Banarpal in Angul (2cm), Malkangiri (2cm) and Rayagada (2cm).