Night temperatures also remain high across several parts
PANAJI
While the southwest monsoon is yet to reach Kerala, Goa has already experienced a wetter-than-usual pre-monsoon season. Frequent thunderstorms, evening showers and high humidity have made the weather feel far hotter than the actual temperature.
According to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Goa received 4.1 mm of rainfall on May 28, slightly above the normal 3.9 mm. More importantly, the State recorded 80.1 mm of cumulative rainfall between March 1 and May 28, which is 52 per cent above normal and falls in the ‘excess’ category.
Goa has received more pre-monsoon rain than several larger States. Neighbouring Maharashtra recorded only 15.4 mm of rainfall during the same period, 33 per cent below normal. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also reported rainfall deficits of 22 per cent each. Kerala, where the southwest monsoon normally makes landfall first, remained close to normal with an 8 per cent deficit.
IMD officials said frequent thunderstorms and scattered pre-monsoon showers over the past few weeks have contributed to Goa’s above-normal rainfall despite the delayed arrival of the monsoon over mainland India.
However, the rain has done little to ease the uncomfortable weather. On Thursday, Goa’s maximum temperature was around 34.6°C, but high humidity pushed the heat index, or ‘feels-like’ temperature, to a sweltering 48.3°C. Night temperatures also remained high across several parts of the State.
The IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon, which was expected to reach Kerala around May 26, may now arrive only by June 3. Weather experts said this delay is likely to postpone the monsoon’s arrival in Goa, which usually takes place within five days of its onset over Kerala. Rainfall patterns across the country remain uneven. Several northern and central States, however, continued to receive weak or negligible rainfall.
Of the country’s 36 meteorological subdivisions, only five fell in the ‘Large Excess’ category between March 1 and May 28. Fifteen, including Goa, were classified as ‘Excess’, while six remained ‘Normal’. Seven were marked ‘Deficient’ and eight ‘Large Deficient’.
