Temperatures drop across Odisha; pre-monsoon rains start

In a respite from the long spell of heat conditions, the temperature dropped considerably in most places in Odisha today following pre-monsoon rains in several areas.

Barring two places, temperatures remained below 40 degrees Celsius as the Monsoon was expected to hit the state in the second week of this month.

While Sonepur recorded 42.5 deg C, temperature in Bolangir stood at 40 deg C, the MeT centre here said.

As per the IMD forecast, there is favourable condition for the onset of Monsoon, which is expected to reach Odisha anytime in the second week of this month.

Many places in the state received rainfall since yesterday and the temperature in most parts of the state is likely to remain below 40 degrees C for next 2-3 days.

While Baripada received 29.6 mm rainfall, Koraput got 27 mm rainfall since this morning, the MeT office said adding, Dhenkanal had received around 43 mm rainfall yesterday.

Bhubaneswar, which had also experienced rains, recorded 34 deg C today.