Bhubaneswar, June 18: The Regional Meteorological Centre here today said the southwest monsoon had advanced further and covered the entire state. It predicted rainfall at a few places in the state in the coming days.

The monsoon that arrived in the state yesterday had covered several parts with rainfall occurring at a few places. The rainfall continued with the heaviest of 16mm recorded in Jharsuguda today followed by 13mm in Gopalpur. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack too received little rain.

According to the daily weather bulletin issued by the Met department today, light rain and thundershower will occur at a few places in the state in the next 24 hours while heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places in south Odisha. Such weather condition will continue till June 25 across the state.

Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu told The Telegraph that though skies would be covered with clouds in most areas though the rainfall may not actually be very heavy.

"Heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places of the state in the next 24 hours but it will decrease in the days thereafter. However, the temperature will remain below 35 degrees Celsius in most areas," said Sahu.

Bheemtangi resident Rekha Maharana said she was happy with the news that monsoon had finally arrived in the state but, she was keen to see more rainfall. "The temperature has decreased but with little rain, we still have a humid weather. I hope the rain will come soon and relieve us," she said.

The India Meteorological Department continues to trace the trough line the passes over the state but said it was unlikely to cause significant rainfall here. The persistent upper air cyclonic circulation over south coastal Odisha is also unlikely to cause much rainfall.

The department also observed that the average minimum temperature today was 2°C to 3°C below normal.