Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below-normal rainfall in Odisha during the 2026 Southwest Monsoon season.

Addressing the media, IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the seasonal rainfall from June to September 2026 across the country is likely to be 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a model error of ±4%. This indicates a greater likelihood of below-normal rainfall nationwide.

Dr. Mohapatra noted that Central India, Southern Peninsular India, and Northwest India are anticipated to receive below-normal rainfall. While some areas in East-Central India and East India may see normal to above-normal rainfall, Odisha is expected to experience below-normal rainfall this monsoon season.

According to the IMD DG, there is a probability that during the Southwest Monsoon season, the seasonal rainfall across the country will be 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a model error margin of plus or minus 4%. This suggests that during the 2026 monsoon season, from June to September, the country is likely to receive below-normal rainfall.

“During the June to September 2026 period, seasonal rainfall across most parts of the country is most likely to be below normal, except for certain areas in Northwest and Northeast India, the eastern parts of the Southern Peninsula, some adjoining areas of East-Central India, and a few isolated pockets of East India, where rainfall is expected to range from normal to above normal,” he maintained.

He also mentioned, “In June 2026, average rainfall across the country is likely to be below normal, specifically less than 92% of the long-period average… This excludes North-Western India, North-Eastern India, parts of the Southern Peninsula, and some pockets of Central India, where rainfall is expected to range from normal to above normal.”

On the temperature front, maximum temperatures are likely to remain above normal in most parts of the country during June. The IMD has warned that the number of heatwave days will be higher than normal in many areas of Odisha, as well as in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and pockets of other states.

He further stated, “During June 2026, the number of ‘heatwave days’, or days of extreme heat, is projected to be higher than normal in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, along with specific pockets of Maharashtra, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Conversely, in Rajasthan and Jharkhand, the number of heatwave days is expected to be lower than normal.”

Minimum temperatures are also likely to stay above normal across most parts of the country. This forecast is particularly significant for Odisha, as the state is expected to receive normal monsoon rainfall even as several other regions face rain deficiencies. Authorities have been advised to prepare accordingly for both monsoon and heatwave conditions.