PANAJI
Nearly two weeks after the onset of the southwest monsoon, Goa is grappling with a severe rainfall deficit, having received barely 40 percent of its normal June precipitation, even as temperatures remain significantly above average.
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that the State recorded 165.8 mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 16 against the normal 405.5 mm, leaving Goa with a deficit of 59.1 percent.
The weak monsoon has also translated into unseasonably warm weather. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature touched 34.4°C, which was 4.5°C above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 27.8°C, around 3.3°C above average.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon remained weak over Goa during the last 24 hours, with only very light to light rainfall reported from many parts of the State.
Weather officials have forecast continued hot and humid conditions accompanied by light to moderate rainfall across Goa districts till at least June 19.
Despite the worrying numbers, IMD scientist Nahush Kulkarni said it was too early to conclude the season’s overall performance, though he acknowledged that the monsoon has remained weak so far.
“Goa usually receives rainfall for about 20 days in June, while around 10 days are generally dry. It is too premature to describe this as one of the driest monsoons. However, the monsoon is definitely weak at present,” Kulkarni told The Goan.
An international climate forecast has already projected that the Konkan-Goa belt could face some of the country’s largest rainfall deficits during the core monsoon months of July, August and September. The IMD has also forecast below-average rainfall.
