The southwest monsoon has started withdrawing from Odisha, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of thunderstorms, lightning and rainfall in several parts of the state over the next 24 hours.
The withdrawal process began on Thursday, with the southwest monsoon retreating from some areas of Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts. Weather conditions are favourable for the monsoon to withdraw from additional parts of eastern India over the next three to four days.
According to the weather forecast, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely at one or two places in 13 districts over the next 24 hours. These include Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.
The remaining districts are likely to experience predominantly dry weather during this period.
Meanwhile, there has been no significant change in the maximum temperature across Odisha. Temperatures in most parts of coastal Odisha and some areas of interior Odisha are around 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal, indicating that warm conditions are likely to persist despite the seasonal transition.
The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon marks the beginning of the transition towards the post-monsoon season. However, the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning and rain in several districts means residents should remain alert to changing weather conditions.