CLIMATE
Orissa, on the eastern sea board of India, enjoys a tropical
monsoon type of climate like most other parts of the country. Its annual
average rainfall is about 200cm. The south-west monsoon normally sets in between 5th June in the
coastal plain, and by 1st July the whole of the state is under the full sway of the
south-west monsoon. By 15th October, the south-west monsoon withdraws
completely from Orissa. Orissa, on the eastern coast of India, is not directly
influenced by south-west monsoon branch from the Bay of Bengal like the west
coast, but the annual cyclones from the Bay of Bengal influence it and bring
copious rain with two seasonal
peaks, July-August and October-November. During the
winter, except Northern Orissa, all other parts remain almost dry.
Rainfall
Monsoon rainfall is of highest importance as it directly
controls the crop condition in Orissa. Monsoon rainfall is considered
'high' when it is above 140cm and 'low' when it is less than 120 cm as this is
barely sufficient for a good paddy harvest. Winter rainfall helps the growth of the
second crop in Orissa
and hence is of importance. A total rainfall of above 5 cm during the winter has
been taken to be 'high' while less than 2.5cm is 'low' in Orissa.
Cyclones
Flood and drought are common to many states
in India, but only a few
states are subject to cyclones and tornado. Orissa is one of the few. Cyclone
has in recent years become a regular feature like flood and drought.
The cyclonic storms during the monsoon which originate in the
Bay of Bengal often cross the east coast between Paradeep and Chandbali and make
a north-west ward journey. They proceed over Kendujhar and head towards
Sambalpur and then decrease in intensity. There are two cyclonic peaks in their
occurrence, one during May-July and the other during October-November. As far as the periodicity of the occurrence of the storms is
concerned, the maximum number of cyclones occurred during south-west monsoon
period (154) followed by the post-monsoon period of the north-east monsoon (70)
and pre-monsoon period (57).
Seasonal Divisions
Orissa experiences three main seasons, but the year is locally
divided into six seasons.
-
Grishma (Summer), Baisakha and Jyestha (mid-April to
mid-June)
-
Barsa (Rainy season), Ashadha and Sravana (mid-June to
mid-August)
-
Sharad (Autumn), Bhadraba and Aswina (mid- August to
mid-October)
-
Hemanta (Winter), Kartika and Margasira (mid-October to
mid-December)
-
Sisira (Winter), Pausa and Magha (mid-December to
mid-February)
-
Basanta (Spring), Falguna and Chaitra (mid-Feb to
mid-April
These six local seasons are grouped into three main
seasons:
Basanta and Grishma
(Summer)
Barsa and Sharad (Rainy
season)
Hemanta and Sisira (Winter)
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