Bhubaneswar, August 20: Odisha has crossed the 1,000 mm mark in cumulative monsoon rainfall this season, with the state recording a 28% surplus over the normal rainfall between June 1 and August 19, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Data from the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, shows that Odisha received 1,006.5 mm of rainfall during the period, compared with the normal average of 786.5 mm. The state has thus received 220 mm more rainfall than usual, placing the overall monsoon performance in the ‘excess’ category.

Most parts of Odisha have recorded excess to large excess rainfall so far this season.

Fourteen districts reported excess rainfall, ranging from 20% to 59% above normal. Among them, Khordha received 912.9 mm, Kataka 1,145.1 mm, Puri 945 mm, Mayurbhanj 1,174.4 mm and Sambalpur 1,325.6 mm.

Seven districts recorded large excess rainfall, with departures of 60% or more from normal levels. Bargarh received 1,438.7 mm of rainfall, marking a 72% surplus, while Sonepur recorded 1,495.1 mm, or 80% above normal.

Boudh registered the highest departure in the state, receiving 1,469.9 mm of rainfall, which was 106% above the normal level for the period. Kendujhar recorded 1,246 mm, Dhenkanal 1,213 mm, Baleshwar 1,300.9 mm and Kendrapada 1,189 mm, all falling in the large excess category.

Meanwhile, five districts recorded normal rainfall, with precipitation remaining within 19% of the long-term average. These included Ganjam, which received 513.3 mm, Koraput with 753.3 mm, Rayagada with 560.5 mm and Kandhamal with 1,020.3 mm.

However, five districts continued to face deficient rainfall. Kalahandi received 772.9 mm, Malkangiri 707.2 mm, Nabarangpur 631.4 mm and Gajapati 413.2 mm during the period. No district in Odisha has been placed in the ‘large deficient’ category so far this monsoon season.

IMD officials attributed the substantial rainfall surplus to active monsoon systems over the Bay of Bengal, which have triggered widespread and persistent rainfall across large parts of the state.