With the monsoon experiencing a sluggish phase, the state recorded a 78 percent deficit in rainfall between Saturday and Sunday morning.

BHUBANESWAR: Despite predictions from the meteorological office regarding the advancement of the southwest monsoon in the state, its prolonged pause has left large areas of western Odisha parched, with intense heat and high humidity making life unbearable.

Currently, Odisha has noted a 48 percent rainfall deficit from June 11 to 17. The sluggish monsoon has led to a 78 percent deficit in rainfall during the recent weekend. Approximately 27 districts have been categorized as deficient, largely deficient, or experiencing no rainfall during this period.

The monsoon’s slow progress over the state since June 15 has resulted in a significant dry spell, with maximum temperatures in western and interior districts such as Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Boudh consistently exceeding 39 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature departure ranged from 3 degrees Celsius to 6 degrees Celsius across most parts of Maharashtra adjacent to Madhya Pradesh, north interior Karnataka, north Telangana, various locations in Chhattisgarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and adjoining Bihar, as well as some areas of Jharkhand and western Odisha on Sunday.