PANAJI
The southwest monsoon remained vigorous over Goa on Thursday with very heavy rainfall recorded at most locations and extremely heavy showers at isolated places across the State.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for both North and South Goa districts till Friday with the forecast warning of heavy rainfall at many places with very heavy rainfall at a few places, and wind speeds of 30-40 kmph gusting up to 50 kmph across the State.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to continue, the IMD has stated.
As a precautionary measure, the Directorate of Education declared a holiday for all schools across Goa from primary to higher secondary level.
“In view of incessant rain and alert issued by the IMD Goa predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across the State of Goa and keeping in mind the safety of young children in the schools, it is decided by the competent authority to declare holiday on July 4 for all the schools in the State of Goa,” said Education Director Shailesh Zingde in an official circular.
While the holiday is also for teachers, those teachers deputed for training have been asked to attend their respective sessions. Students have also been urged to remain indoors and avoid flooded roads, riverbanks or any other risky locations.
Panaji recorded 54 mm of rainfall on Thursday, while several other areas reported even higher volumes.
