PANAJI
With barely a fortnight left for the southwest monsoon to officially end, Goa has emerged as the sixth most rain-deficient State in the country, recording a 34 per cent shortfall in seasonal rainfall, according to the latest State-wise rainfall data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Goa has received 1,873.7 mm of rainfall against its normal seasonal rainfall of 2,835 mm, leaving the State with a deficit of about 961 mm. The shortfall places Goa among 15 States currently experiencing deficient southwest monsoon rainfall.
Meghalaya has recorded the highest deficit at 59 per cent, with 1,002.4 mm of rainfall against its normal of 2,418.5 mm. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh with a 44 per cent deficit, Arunachal Pradesh (42 per cent), Manipur (41 per cent) and Punjab (40 per cent). Goa, with a 34 per cent deficit, ranks sixth on the list.
The rainfall situation has worsened during September, traditionally the final month of the monsoon season. Goa has recorded a 44 per cent rainfall deficit during the month so far, receiving only 81.6 mm between September 1 and 12, against the normal rainfall of 145.7 mm for the period.
The subdued rainfall activity is also reflected in the number of dry days recorded in the State. The State received just 0.1 mm of rainfall on September 11, compared to the normal 8.3 mm for the day, translating into a massive 99.2 per cent daily deficiency.
The State has also recorded five dry days in September so far, with no rainfall recorded up to Sunday morning. Under IMD classification, a day receiving less than 2.5 mm of rainfall is considered a dry day.
The neighbouring States of Karnataka and Maharashtra have also recorded substantial rainfall deficiencies during September so far, at around 81 per cent and 66 per cent, respectively.
The prolonged dry spells have exerted further pressure on Goa’s seasonal rainfall tally, which has remained below normal despite periods of intense rainfall earlier in the monsoon.
The latest figures come as the southwest monsoon enters its final phase. As per IMD Goa bulletin, no weather warning is issued for the State till September 18.
Goa’s rainfall deficit is part of a wider rainfall shortfall across several parts of the country. The southern peninsula has been particularly affected, with cumulative rainfall in the region showing a deficit of more than 27 per cent in recent IMD data.
