Monsoon arrives in Odisha 2 days ahead of schedule

Southwest monsoon hit Odisha today, two days ahead of the scheduled arrival in the state, a senior Meteorological department official said.

"Southwest monsoon has touched some parts of Malkangiri district today, two days before the expected date of onset of monsoon," Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas told PTI.

Conditions are favourable for further advancement of the monsoon and it is likely to cover more areas in south Odisha bringing rainfall in the next 24 hours," he said.

"The monsoon is likely to cover other parts of the state within the next 48 hours," Biswas said adding that Odisha is expected to experience normal rainfall this year.

In addition to monsoon rains, northern parts of Odisha are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall under the impact of a low pressure in next 24 hours, Biswas said.

Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea from tonight in view of rough conditions.