The state of Odisha has been witnessing prolonged spells of rain and showers. Fairly widespread rainfall has been recorded in the past 24 hours. Baripada, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Chandbali and Paradip recorded moderate showers with amounts varying between 15-25mm. Even the interiors including Keongjhargarh, Angul, Bolangir, Sambalpur and the neighbourhood measured decent showers. This weather activity is likely to slow down and also shift to Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours. Ultimately, the rains may cease completely from Odisha by 27thJan and fair weather conditions may follow.
These rains were more or less unseasonal, as they carried on for fairly long with short breaks, in between. Weather activity was mainly under the influence of an anticyclone over the Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha coast and extension of trough from South Interior Karnataka to the interiors of Odisha. Convergence zones of different types of airmass led to the activity. Odisha and the neighbourhood were the only pockets observing winter rains and the most favoured plains of North India remained totally dry.
The anticyclone is shifting inland and the trough also becomes less marked. Accordingly, the rains will cease shortly and vacate the entire state of Odisha. Light rainfall may continue for the next 24 hours over south coastal parts of the state. The rain belt is expected to shift gradually to parts of Andhra Pradesh, albeit for not so long. Vizag, Vijaywada, Kalingapatnam and Vijaynagram are the favourite locations for light rainfall. Weather activity is expected on 25th and 26th Jan and shrinks significantly on 27th Jan. The rains will vacate these parts and the region as such, from 28th Jan onward. Broad clearance for sufficient duration is expected to follow.
