Even as scorching heat continued to torment people in western parts of Odisha, the Regional Office of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) here on Tuesday said if conditions are favourable, pre-monsoon rains are likely to occur in the State by June 10.
IMD Regional Director Sarat Sahu said, “Westerly winds which favour the onset of monsoon have strong presence in both lower and upper levels of the atmosphere over Arabian Sea.
Convection is also strong and formation of a low pressure area near Kerala coast and East Central Arabian Sea is favouring the movement of the monsoon. If conditions stay favourable then the onset in Odisha could be declared by June 10.”
Sahu added that the current thunderstorm activities in the State would also assist in dragging the monsoon current.
As per the initial forecast by the IMD, about 96 per cent to 104 per cent of long-term average rainfall is likely to be witnessed this season which is considered a normal monsoon.
Sahu said after June 1, mercury would continue to decrease below 40 degree Celsius in interior parts and below 36 degree in the coastal areas.
Earlier in the day, the IMD declared that the monsoon has hit Kerala, three days ahead of its normal arrival.