PANAJI
Goa’s heat continues to feel increasingly oppressive, with the “feel like” temperature touching 42°C in recent days as the State enters the southwest monsoon’s withdrawal phase with a sharp rainfall deficit.
Goa has so far received around 32 percent less rainfall than normal since the monsoon set in on June 1. Rainfall activity has weakened further in recent days, leaving the State substantially short of the rainfall it would normally have received by this stage of the season.
North Goa has recorded 1,784.8 mm of rainfall against the normal 2,943.4 mm for the corresponding period, a deficit of 39 percent. South Goa, meanwhile, has received 1,956.6 mm against its normal 2,810.4 mm, leaving a shortfall of 30 per cent.
Goa is among 15 states that have recorded a significant rainfall deficit since the onset of the monsoon. The southwest monsoon began withdrawing from west Rajasthan last Saturday, while Goa’s normal withdrawal window falls between October 10 and 15.
Despite the weakening rainfall activity, the India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain over both North and South Goa from September 22 to 24. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at isolated places during the period.
The forecast, however, offers little immediate relief from the heat, with similar conditions expected over the next 48 hours. “Generally cloudy skies, high humidity and light rain likely. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain around 32°C and 25°C respectively,” the IMD said.
