BHUBANESWAR: The mercury went up a couple of notches across the state on Monday, with no respite in sight for at least in a week.

Odisha received 56% less rain by the end of June, according a rainfall report of India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.

With El Nino looming large over monsoon this year, the state government has pulled up its socks to checkmate the phenomenon.

The mercury in the state will witness a gradual rise and touch 43 degree Celsius or more at some places including Bhubaneswar by April 29, a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sa

The state government on Monday put district authorities on alert, especially those of 10 southern and coastal districts, as the severe cyclonic storm, Lehar, is expected to make a landfall between

The state government on Tuesday issued a cyclone warning and alerted collectors of 14 coastal districts to remain prepared for any eventuality.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) here said a deep depression had been formed near the Andaman Sea, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on Wednesday and move towards the mainland.

With cyclonic storm Phailin staring at the mainland from the sea, about 950 km from the Odisha port of Paradip, the state government on Wednesday cancelled the Dussehra holidays of its employees in 14 coastal districts and put them on disaster-management duty.

An official bulletin said the cyclonic storm is likely to be preceded by heavy rain in the next 12 hours. Distant cautionary signal No. 1 was hoisted at Paradip and Gopalpur ports, asking fishermen not to venture into the sea.