BHUBANESWAR: The southwest monsoon on Saturday advanced to more parts of the state, bringing cheer to farmers.
Such advance was witnessed amid light to moderate rainfall at several places under the influence of Friday’s low pressure formed over the Bay of Bengal.
Official report said monsoon covered five more districts fully on the third day since arriving in Odisha, increasing the total number of districts covered to 13.
The districts covered are Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore and Puri.
Earlier, eight districts were fully covered .
Besides, five more districts including parts of Nayagarh and Khurda and that of Cuttack, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj were partially covered by monsoon.
The IMD forecast said monsoon would cover remaining parts of the state in next 24 hours.
It predicted most places in the state will witness rainfall for the next three days.
There was also yellow warning of heavy rainfall at isolated places in select districts.
H R Biswas, director of regional IMD centre, said, “Rainfall activities for influence of the system would continue for next three-four days, at least till June 15.” Official report said Soro in Balasore district recorded highest 90mm rainfall in the past 24 hours till Saturday morning.
Farm activity in Kendrapada district has picked up pace with the arrival of monsoon.
And yet, on the other hand, many farmers in riverside villages are worried that the rains may trigger flood.
“Our village was inundated with flood water last week due to rain triggered by Cyclone Yaas.
Now we are in trouble again following incessant rainfall for the past three days,” said Adhir Behera of Gobindapur village.
TNN