Bhubaneswar: Rainfall activity in Odisha is set to pick up this week, with India Meterological Department (IMD) forecasting an active monsoon phase from July 2, even as the state reeled under a 52% rainfall deficit this month till Monday. An orange and yellow warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for several districts between July 1 and 5.The forecast comes amid indications of a low-pressure area likely to form over Bay of Bengal by July 2, which may intensify into a deep depression by July 4. “The southwest monsoon will very likely remain active over the state this week and trigger widespread rainfall,” said Manorama Mohanty, head of the regional IMD centre in the city.Meanwhile several places in the state received light to moderate rainfall in the last 24 hours. Rajghat in Balasore district recorded highest 92mm rainfall in last 24 hours, said IMD rainfall report of the morning.On Tuesday, the IMD forecast light to moderate rainfall at many places in the state, with a warning of thunderstorm activity, and hot and humid condition issued for some districts.The IMD regional head said except Dhenkanal, rest 29 districts were reeling under deficient monsoon. Dhenkanal district recorded normal rain with a nominal 1% deficit, she said.The official data shows monsoon rainfall deficit in June at 17 of 30 districts stood at 50% and above. Deogarh district recorded the highest 80% rain deficit in June so far, followed by Sambalpur and Kalahandi with 75% and 74% respectively. Nayagarh district saw the lowest seasonal rain deficit of 26%.Former director of the regional IMD centre, Sarat Chandra Sahu, said a moderate to heavy rainfall would continue in the state from July 1 to 5. “Coastal Odisha may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 2 and 3, while interior parts of the state may get heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 3 to 5. The low-pressure area is likely to form on July 2 over the northwest Bay of Bengal. It would intensify gradually into depression on July 3 and deep depression a day later,” he said.Farmers, meanwhile, are worried over the deficit rainfall. “How can we carry out our agricultural activity in the absence of sufficient rain. We will be at a loss if the rain deficit continues,” said Arjun Biswal, a farmer of Janla on the outskirts of the city, adding he was waiting for a good rainfall for sowing operations in his field. .
