BHUBANESWAR: According to Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, El Niño has not had a major impact on Odisha. He made this statement on Tuesday while responding to a written inquiry from Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy.

Singhkhuntia informed the Assembly that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously predicted the potential for El Niño conditions during the southwest monsoon season, as well as a possibility of reduced rainfall in Odisha.

However, he noted that the actual impact has been minimal. In June, the state saw only 110 mm of rainfall, which is 47 percent less than normal. Following that, the formation of low-pressure systems resulted in a significant increase in rainfall, with a total of 627.6 mm in July (84 percent above normal), 418.8 mm in August (15 percent above normal), and a cumulative total of 1,276.4 mm by September 18, indicating about 19 percent surplus, thus categorizing it as normal rainfall.

From the first week of July until mid-September, Odisha experienced an average rainfall of 1,264.2 mm, approximately 22.8 percent higher than the average of 1,029.1 mm. While Boudh district reported excess rainfall, 16 districts experienced above-normal rainfall, and 12 had normal levels. Gajapati was the only district that reported insufficient rainfall.

Singhkhuntia mentioned that the surplus rainfall resulted in flooding, which affected crops in 21 districts. The state government has taken necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with weather conditions.