MAPUSA
After an early and promising onset, monsoon activity has significantly weakened over Goa, resulting in rising temperatures and discomfort among residents.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that the southwest monsoon has remained weak across the State over the past two days, with a marked drop in rainfall activity.
While pre-monsoon showers made a strong start on May 20, followed by the formal monsoon onset on May 25, conditions have since stagnated. Goa, along with neighbouring coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, is currently witnessing subdued monsoon activity.
“The southwest monsoon has been weak over Goa with very light to light rainfall recorded at a few places. Several areas have reported no rain at all,” said an official from IMD Goa.
Rainfall data over the last 24 hours reveals that at least six of the State’s rain gauge stations “ Mapusa, Sanquelim, Dharbandora, Dabolim, Mormugao and Quepem “ recorded nil rainfall. Meanwhile, three other stations reported light rain, and one registered very light rain, indicating a clear lull in precipitation.
The lack of rain has allowed the sun to dominate skies over the past few days, leading to hot and humid conditions. Maximum temperatures hovered around 33°C, while minimum temperatures stayed close to 26.4°C, adding to the discomfort of residents accustomed to a wetter and cooler early June.
Despite the lull, IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Goa for the upcoming week, from June 7 to June 12. The period has been placed under a green alert, meaning no severe weather warnings have been issued.
Former Chief Scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography, Dr Ramesh Kumar, attributed the weak monsoon phase to unfavourable synoptic conditions across the region.
“The monsoon reached the west coast of Maharashtra on May 26 but has shown no further advancement along the west coast of India. On the other hand, it has progressed further over the Bay of Bengal,” Dr Kumar explained.
He added that the lack of a supportive weather system in either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal has contributed to the current sluggish monsoon.
“We do not have any conducive system in place, nor do we see the presence of a strong low-level jet stream, which is critical in transporting moisture to peninsular India, particularly the west coast,” he noted.
However, Dr Kumar clarified that the current conditions do not indicate a "break" in the monsoon but rather a temporary weak phase that could change within a matter of days.
