June rainfall deficit drops to 37%

Bhubaneswar: The rainfall deficit in the state during June reduced to 37% as monsoon showers continued at several places, the IMD said on Friday.
H R Biswas, regional head of the IMD centre in the city, said hoped the deficit would decrease further with chances of more rain.
Biswas said the state saw 9% drop in rain deficit from 73% on June 16 when it experienced its first spell of monsoon showers.It has dropped gradually and would go down further, he said. The state has received 97.6 mm rainfall so far compared to normal 156.1 mm by Friday, he pointed out. The official report said many places in the state received light to moderate rainfall in last 24 hours, as the monsoon remained active.
Muruda and Th Rampur in Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi districts respectively received highest 90 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours. Harabhanga in Boudh district recorded the next highest 80 mm rainfall during the period. Similarly, Bhadrak during the day recorded highest 86 mm rainfall, the IMD report said.
Biswas forecast that such rainfall trend would continue over the state for next three-four days with a slight decrease on June 27. For Saturday, the forecast said light to moderate rain would continue at many places over the state along with heavy rainfall at isolated places in selected districts.
“We pray for a good monsoon and good harvest,” said Brindaban Martha, a farmer.