Low pressure stimulates monsoon in the state

BHUBANESWAR: With the south-west monsoon invigorated by a low pressure formed off Orissa coast, heavy rains lashed large parts of the State on Wednesday. The weather office has predicted more showers in the next couple of days. The low pressure area (Lopar) had become well-marked and there was every likelihood that it would intensify further, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said even as the showers dampened the Raja celebrations to some extent across the State. Under impact of the system, southern, coastal and northern regions of the State received heavy showers. Jamsolaghat recorded over 14-cm rain during the last 24 hours. Keonjhar was hit by torrential showers and by Wednesday evening, it had received over 10-cm rain. Other north Orissa districts such as Mayurbhanj and Balasore also experienced heavy rains. There was no respite for the coastal Orissa as the low pressure-induced rains lashed Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak. However, the western Orissa pockets remained dry. Bhubaneswar received over 5 cm in seven hours on Wednesday. Roads turned into large pools and vehicular movement was affected. Wednesday being a government holiday on account of ‘Raja Sankranti’, people chose to remain indoors. However, the showers eased up during the evening hours allowing people to hit the streets. The IMD, however, maintained that showers would continue as the low pressure area has become well-marked and lying over the north-west Bay of Bengal, close to Orissa and West Bengal coasts. Heavy to very heavy showers are expected at some parts of coastal Orissa while rain is likely to pound interior Orissa. The Met office also warned of rough conditions and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea. Strong and gusty wind reaching up to a speed of 40 km to 45 km per hour may hit the coast while occasionally, the speed will reach 65 km per hour. Activated by the weather system, the monsoon advanced into more parts of the State and is likely to cover most of Orissa during the next two to three days.