Bhubaneswar, June 9: A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal triggered rainfall, which was greeted here today with cheer as the temperature dropped and provided residents relief from heat and humidity.
The regional meteorological centre here has detected a low-pressure condition formed under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over west-central Bay of Bengal off south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coast. The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.
"The low pressure will trigger rainfall at several places in coastal Odisha and a few places in interior parts of the state in the next 24 hours. We have also issued a heavy rainfall warning for Khurda, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nayagarh, and Kandhamal," said Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu.
Sahu said the southwest monsoon was also heading towards the state at a steady pace. It has started covering neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, he said.
"The pre-monsoon rainfall has already hit the interior parts of the state since the past few days. The onset of southwest monsoon will begin in the next 24 to 48 hours," the Met director said. He said the temperature would go down further.
The rainfall in the capital city today brought respite to the people. The heat and humidity triggered by an overcast situation here had become unbearable for the residents since the past few days. The weather department has recorded a rainfall of 9.4mm in the city and the temperature dropped to 38°C from yesterday's high of 39.2°C.
"It is indeed a relief for us. Although the temperature was not that high in the city this summer, but the humidity was unbearable. The overcast condition had further worsened the situation," said Kalpana Dash, a resident of Saheed Nagar.
A weather expert, however, predicted that the persisting low pressure might not strengthen much and could weaken into a well-marked low pressure in the next 48 hours. The rainfall will continue till June 14 after which it will decrease across the state, including the capital city, he said. However, the mercury-level won't shoot up too much this month, he added.
