Bhubaneswar, Oct 31: The effects of the recent storm and rainfall over Odisha have subsided, paving the way for cooler weather across the state. According to meteorologists, from November 2, the weather is expected to turn dry as the cloudy conditions gradually clear. Along with this, the night temperature is likely to dip by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.
Forecasts suggest that in districts such as Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Pallahara, and Badampahar, the mercury could drop to between 15°C and 17°C.
Senior meteorologist Professor Surendranath Pasupalak said that northerly winds have started blowing into Odisha, marking the beginning of early winter. The present cloudy weather will gradually fade away. From the night of October 31, the minimum temperature in Kandhamal (Baliguda and Phulbani) and Gajapati (Gadapur and Mohana) may fall below 20°C, with night temperatures hovering around 17°C to 18°C in these areas.
“The chill in some places could be comparable to that experienced in northern cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana,” said Prof. Pasupalak, adding that by November 5, Bhubaneswar’s temperature could also slip below 20°C.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rain in Khordha district and adjoining coastal and northern regions on November 1. A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the Myanmar coast on October 31, but due to the prevailing northerly winds, the system is not expected to intensify significantly. The situation is likely to become clearer by November 2 afternoon, according to experts.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sarat Sahu, Director of the SOA Centre for Climate and Environment, said that rainfall activity may continue in some parts of coastal and interior Odisha on Friday. “On Thursday, light showers were reported from Puri, Chandbali, Gopalpur, and Sambalpur. The presence of high atmospheric moisture and winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal led to the scattered rainfall,” Dr. Sahu explained. However, he added that from Friday onwards, rainfall will decrease sharply, and the weather will turn clear and dry.
According to the Met Department, Odisha recorded 54% above-normal rainfall in October. The state received an average of 170 mm of rain against the normal 110 mm. Eight districts — Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Gajapati — received over 60% more rainfall than usual, while thirteen districts including Bargarh, Sambalpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Ganjam, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, and Kandhamal recorded 20–59% excess rainfall.
With the monsoon receding and northerly winds gaining strength, Odisha is now gearing up for the onset of the winter season.
