Heavy Rainfall in Odisha Due to Depression Near Chilika Lake, Says IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a depression over the Odisha coast near Chilika Lake remained stationary on Saturday morning. It was centered at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 85.4°E, about 40 km south-southwest of Puri and 70 km east-northeast of Gopalpur.
The IMD expects the depression to move northwest across Odisha and Chhattisgarh, weakening into a low-pressure area within 12 hours. Heavy rainfall is predicted in many parts of Odisha for four days starting Thursday.
From June 1 to 18, Odisha recorded 288.3 mm of rainfall, below the normal 394.1 mm. Thirteen districts received normal rainfall, while 17 districts had deficient rainfall.
The southwest monsoon has been active across a large part of India, with 80% of the country experiencing widespread rainfall. Heavy to very heavy rain has lashed Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, coastal Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep.
The monsoon, which was subdued in mid-June, gained momentum towards the end of June and covered the entire country by July 2, six days ahead of schedule. Early July saw rainfall in Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Met Department, all-India rainfall increased from 242 mm on July 9 to 305.8 mm on July 17, with the country’s rainfall at 97% of the normal for this time of year.
Doubts Revealed
Odisha -: Odisha is a state in eastern India, known for its rich culture and beautiful coastline along the Bay of Bengal.
Depression -: In weather terms, a depression is a low-pressure area that can cause heavy rain and strong winds. It is less intense than a cyclone.
Chilika Lake -: Chilika Lake is a large brackish water lagoon in Odisha, famous for its bird sanctuary and being the largest coastal lagoon in India.
IMD -: IMD stands for India Meteorological Department, which is the government agency responsible for weather forecasting and monitoring in India.
Low-pressure area -: A low-pressure area is a region where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas, often leading to cloudy weather and precipitation.
Southwest monsoon -: The southwest monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rains to India from June to September, crucial for agriculture.
288.3 mm of rainfall -: This means that Odisha received 288.3 millimeters of rain, which is a way to measure how much rain has fallen over a certain period.
80% of the country -: This means that 80% of India has experienced heavy rainfall due to the monsoon, affecting most regions of the country.