Three consecutive weeks of rain from February 26 to March 4, March 5 to March 11 and March 12 to March 18 had given widespread showers in the country, but Odisha was one pocket that went dry on all the three occasions. The deficit during the first week of rain in the region was 63%, while the adjoining state of Chhattisgarh observed a surplus of 184%. Bihar and Jharkhand also recorded a surplus of 159% and 12%, respectively. During the second week the deficit in the sub-division rose to 80%, while in the third week it was the highest at 89%, making it most deficit pocket in the country.
The monsoon and post monsoon period had also been poor for the state in terms of rainfall. According to the data available with Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the monsoon began on a very poor note as the state observed a deficit of 57% during the month of June, which gradually improved in July, August and September. The monsoon ended at a surplus of 9% in the state.
The winter rains have also followed the same pattern with deficit running high. Lack of rain and clear sky is already giving summer like feeling in the state. The maximum temperatures are soaring and settling in the mid-thirties. For instance Bhubaneswar, the state capital recorded 35.2 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature on Thursday, while Sambalpur saw the day temperature settle at 34 degrees Celsius.
