Bhubaneswar, June 11: Pre-monsoon rains in the city have brought some welcome respite from the intense heat. The capital witnessed 3.1mm rainfall over the past 24 hours.

Consequently, the mercury today plunged to 40°C from the maximum temperature of 44.1°C recorded yesterday. Met officials attributed the fall in temperature to the pre monsoon rains not only in Bhubaneswar but also in other parts of the state, particularly the coastal areas.

“Thunder squall, accompanied by hail and gusty surface wind speed reaching 60-70kmph may occur at one or two places over coastal Odisha and adjoining districts during next 24 hours,” said director of the regional meteorological centre Sarat Chandra Sahu.

He added that the monsoon was likely to arrive in the state by the end of this week if the conditions remained favourable.

While Bhawanipatna received a rainfall of 25mm during the past 24 hours, Balangir received 9mm rainfall. Phulbani recorded 6.5mm rain and Cuttack clocked 4.3mm. Earlier this month, the capital city recorded a rainfall of 5.9mm on June 3 and 0.7mm on June 4.

“Today is considerably cooler as compared to last week when we were unable to step outside our house because of the intense heat. However, this morning was pleasant with a cool breeze blowing,” said Deepak Panigrahi, a student.

The weather remained cloudy in the morning. But the humidity level rose making the residents feel slightly uncomfortable.

The relative humidity in Bhubaneswar was 94 per cent today.

Met officials said thunder showers could take place in the city in the next 24 hours and the temperature was likely to come down further. But weatherman predicted a higher humidity level.

The city has been reeling from a heat spell over the past one month with a temperature of 46.7°C being recorded on June 5, which beat the previous highest ever temperature recorded in Bhubaneswar in June of 46.5°C on May 22, 1972.

Heat wave conditions are, however, likely to prevail in certain parts of northern Odisha during the next 24 hours. Talcher was the hottest place in the state with a temperature of 43.5°C today followed by 43.1°C at Hirakud.