PANAJI
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa has issued a red alert for Goa for Thursday, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds that may trigger flash floods across the State. An orange alert has been issued for Friday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at a few places.
IMD officials stated that rainfall activity over Goa is expected to intensify from July 23 to 28 due to the influence of weather systems. A cyclonic circulation is likely to emerge over the North Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours, with a low-pressure area expected to form over the same region subsequently.
It also stated that a trough also extends from the northeast Arabian Sea to the cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, passing through South Gujarat, north Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh at 5.8 km above mean sea level. Moreover, an upper air cyclonic circulation persists over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal between 3.1 and 5.8 km above mean sea level.
Under the influence of these systems, Goa is expected to witness widespread rainfall. On July 24, extremely heavy rainfall may occur at isolated locations along with strong surface winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph; from July 25 to 29, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places.
The IMD has also warned of probable impacts such as risk of cloud-to-ground lightning, short-term waterlogging and pooling of water in low-lying areas, traffic congestion, inundation of agricultural fields, rough sea conditions along the coast, falling of weak trees and structures, temporary disruption to services like water and electricity, and reduced visibility during intense rainfall spells. Officials have urged people to remain and follow advisories.
