IMD issues yellow alert as weakening trend causes concern among residents and experts
MAPUSA
Despite an early and robust onset of the southwest monsoon in Goa on May 25 – 12 days ahead of schedule – the State is now witnessing a concerning lull in rainfall, leading to a rising deficit and growing unease among residents and experts.
The initial days of the monsoon were marked by heavy to very heavy rainfall, with some regions recording over 100 mm of rain in a 24-hour period. However, this active phase has tapered off considerably over the last few days, with only isolated light to very light showers being reported across Goa.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Panaji, the southwest monsoon has weakened over the State.
“Light to moderate rainfall occurred at most places,” the IMD stated in its evening bulletin, reflecting the subdued activity.
Data released by the IMD for the period between June 1 and June 22 reveal that North Goa has recorded 556.2 mm of rainfall against a normal of 649.9 mm, reflecting a deficit of slightly over 14 percent.
South Goa has fared slightly better, with 571.4 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 633.9 mm, marking a deficit of nearly 10 percent.
The average rainfall deficit for the entire State currently stands at 12 percent. In some regions, the deficit has exceeded 28 percent, raising alarms, especially in agriculture-dependent areas.
With the monsoon taking a backseat, temperatures across Goa have started to climb. On Saturday, Panaji recorded a maximum temperature of 32.4°C – about 2°C above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature too has inched up to 25.5°C, around 0.7°C above normal, adding to the discomfort for residents.
In light of the evolving conditions, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Goa, forecasting light to moderate rain with isolated spells of heavy rainfall until June 28.
The alert comes amid concerns that a prolonged dry spell could adversely impact water resources and the agricultural calendar.
The early arrival of the monsoon had raised expectations, particularly in the farming community, but the recent weakening marks a clear deviation from the IMD’s initial forecast of a strong monsoon for Goa.
Experts warn that if this trend persists, it could affect crop sowing, groundwater recharge, and overall water availability in the coming months.
The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely, and further updates are expected as the monsoon progresses into July.
