The climate of Orissa falls under the category of tropical monsoon type of climate and in this, Orissa is not different from the rest of the country. Orissa receives a decent annual average rainfall of about 200 cm. June ushers in the south-west monsoon and it’s in mid-October that the rains bid adieu to the state.
The rainfall has a key role to play in the climate of Orissa. Copious rainfall or absence of it directly affects the crop production in Orissa. Rainfall of about 140 cm is considered heavy and anything less than 120 cm is counted as low though it is helpful for paddy harvest. Rainfall is the winter months are also welcomed in Orissa as it gives a fillip to the growth of second crop in the state.
Most of the Indian states are flood and drought prone and but Orissa is subject to the ravages wreaked by powerful cyclones and tornadoes. It has been observed in the recent years that cyclones have become a pretty regular feature adversely affecting the weather of Orissa. During the monsoon period, the cyclonic storms tend to originate in the Bay of Bengal. After crossing the east coasts it carries on with a north-westward journey. They lose much of their force by the time they reach Kendujhar and Sambalpur. The climate of Orissa can be broadly categorized into summer, rainy and winter.
