In the past few days Goa has witnessed unseasonal rainfall. While the rainfall was heavy in some places, other places in the State have also experienced hailstorms.
It is learnt that the anomalous unseasonal rain during winter is due to the effect of a persisting trough spanning from North Kerala to central Maharashtra. The trough continued to pass over South Konkan and according to an IMD official there is possibility of light rain or thunderstorm over Goa for two more days.
This is that time of the year when mango and cashew trees are in the crucial flowering stage. Farmers across the State fear that the unseasonal showers could hamper the yield of the two favourite summer fruits.
Goan mangoes, especially the Mancurad, are known the world over and exported to many countries. If there is a poor yield of the fruit, it could well be beyond the reach of the common man. The cashew is also a favourite summer fruit used to distill the world famous Cashew Feni the yield of which could also be affected by the unseasonal rains.
The government needs to compensate the farmers in order to help them overcome the loss. It is believed that the chilli crop could also be damaged. A lot of vegetables have also been damaged as the rains were accompanied by gusty winds.
This could have a profound effect on the yield of the locally grown vegetable.
