Cyclone Phethai gave widespread rains across the East Coast, right from Andhra Pradesh to West Bengal. However, it was slightly different for Odisha, which not only recorded some good spell but saw heaviest rainy spells of the year.
Although Phethai had weakened into a depression by the time it entered Odisha but it went through and through the state giving moderate to heavy rains. On December 18, the state recorded 42.6 mm of rain against the normal of mere 0.2 mm, which was 10000% excess rainfall for the day.
As a result, Odisha which has been battling deficit rainfall to the tune of 15% till December 15, now stands rain surplus with good margin of 22%.
Previous to this, Cyclone Titli too had given some heavy rains over the state. On October 11, Odisha had recorded 33.6 mm of rains against the normal of 4.2 mm, resulting in surplus rains by 701%.
Although, Odisha did record 45 mm of rain on July 11 during the Monsoon season but the normal average was high to 11, so the excess percentage was only 305%.
After the withdrawal of Monsoon, Odisha does not record much rains as it neither falls in purview of Western Disturbance nor Northeast Monsoon. Thus, rainfall normal for the state are also very low.
The only time state records rainfall in post-Monsoon season is when any cyclone approaches. In fact, the state is the most favourable pocket for the cyclones forming in Bay of Bengal, particularly during November and December. Irrespective of where they are headed to, these storms track through Odisha.
Odisha is also the witness of the strongest cyclone of the Indian history, which was recorded in November, 1999.
Odisha is one sub-division of the country that performs around the year. It hardly disappoints in terms of rainfall, particularly during the four-month long Monsoon season.
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