Delay in monsoon: Heatwave condition to prevail in Odisha till June 14: CEC

Bhubaneswar: The low pressure area formed over south-east Arabian Sea which had intensified into a severe cyclonic storm ‘Biporjoy’ on Wednesday has caused the delay in the onset of south west monsoon over Kerala, but the wind pattern around the cyclone could cause development of cloud and rain along India’s west coast, SOA’s Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) said.

“Some models are indicating that westerly wind flow due to cyclonic circulation could get strengthened and trigger rains along the western coast including Karnataka and Kerala causing the onset of monsoon in Kerala and neighbouring areas on or after June 9,” Dr. S.C.Sahu, Director of CEC, said.

Dr. Sahu said the cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea was located about 990 km south west of Mumbai and was likely to move northwards and subsequently take a north-northwestwardly direction.

If similar westerly or south-westerly wind continued over the western coast then the onset of south west monsoon over south Odisha may occur between June 17 and 20, he said.

Besides, a cyclonic circulation persisted over east central Bay of Bengal and nearby areas which was likely to move along Bangladesh and Myanmar coast. It was drawing hot and dry air from the Indian mainland towards the sea favouring heat wave conditions over Odisha and neighbouring eastern states, Dr. Sahu said.

As a result, severe heat wave condition may be experienced between June 8 and 14 over interior and coastal districts of Odisha and few places in interior parts of the state could record day temperature above 45 degrees C. One or two coastal centres might experience temperature around 45 degrees C during the period, he said.

Though occasional ‘Kalbaisakhi’ could occur in the coastal plains and adjoining districts during the period, discomfort with sweating might be experienced in the coastal plains, Dr. Sahu said.