Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: Odisha has crossed the significant 1,000 mm mark in cumulative monsoon rainfall, with the state receiving 1,006.5 mm of rain between June 1 and August 19, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Data from the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, showed that the state has received 220 mm more than the normal rainfall of 786.5 mm during the corresponding period. The overall rainfall departure stands at 28% above normal, placing Odisha in the ‘excess’ rainfall category so far this monsoon.

Rainfall has remained above normal in most parts of the state. As many as 14 districts recorded excess rainfall, with departures ranging from 20% to 59%. The districts include Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Khordha and Puri.

Seven districts reported large excess rainfall, with rainfall 60% or more above normal. Boudh recorded the highest departure at 106%, followed by Sonepur at 80% and Bargarh at 72%.

Meanwhile, five districts recorded normal rainfall, while another five reported deficient rainfall. Gajapati recorded the lowest rainfall among the deficient districts at 413.2 mm.

IMD officials attributed the surplus rainfall to active monsoon systems over the Bay of Bengal, which have triggered widespread rainfall across Odisha during the season.

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