Bhubaneswar: The southwest monsoon reached Odisha on Friday, marking the start of the rainy season and bringing relief from prolonged heat and humidity. According to the IMD, the monsoon entered through the northern parts of the state and is expected to advance further in the coming days.“The southwest monsoon has further advanced into entire northwest Bay of Bengal, some more parts of west-central Bay of Bengal, West Bengal, Bihar and some parts of Odisha and Jharkhand on Friday,” the IMD national bulletin read.IMD Bhubaneswar director Manorama Mohanty said the monsoon reached the state on time. The bulletin said the northern limit of monsoon passed through Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district and Baripada in Mayurbhanj district.Some parts of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts received rainfall on Friday after monsoon touched these areas. “Light to moderate rain or thunderstorm very likely to occur at many places over all the districts of Odisha,” the IMD Bhubaneswar bulletin read.Authorities have issued alerts for heavy showers, lightning, thunderstorm and gusty wind at different places. “People are advised to keep watch on weather and take shelter during thunderstorm activity to protect themselves from lightning,” the local met office bulletin stated.Only Boudh has recorded a temperature of 40.1 degrees Celsius, while other places have reported a drop. The IMD said there could be gradual fall in day temperature by 2-3 degrees during the next 4 days.Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as the condition of the sea is very likely to be rough on Saturday.
