Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 22 (ANI): The southwest monsoon arrived in Odisha on Thursday and is likely to advance further over the next couple of days.

"The southwest monsoon hit Odisha's Malkangiri, Koraput and Gajapati districts today and is likely to further advance and cover Odisha in the next two days," the Indian Meteorological Department said in a release.

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The Met agency added, "Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning activities is likely to take place in the state from June 22 and continue till June 24."

Meanwhile, Odisha's Dhenkanal received 70 mm of rainfall over the last 24 hours, with Keonjhar trailing closely at 66.2 mm.

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Last year, the southwest monsoon had hit the eastern state on June 16. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)