Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A weak spell of rainfall through July has significantly impacted Goa’s monsoon performance, leaving the state with a 34 per cent seasonal rainfall deficit and placing it among the country’s more rain-deficient regions this southwest monsoon.
The prolonged dry spell has been reflected across much of the state, with five of Goa’s 14 rain-gauge stations recording cumulative rainfall below 1,000 mm so far this season. While the national monsoon has registered an overall deficit of 13 per cent, Goa’s shortfall has been considerably higher.
Rainfall patterns have also varied sharply between the state’s interior and coastal regions. Sanguem has received the highest seasonal rainfall at 1,716 mm, followed by Dharbandora with 1,669 mm. In contrast, coastal and urban areas have recorded much lower totals, with Panaji receiving 841 mm, Dabolim 929 mm, Mormugao 946 mm, and Mapusa 970 mm.
The biggest setback came in July, when the state received only 662 mm of rainfall. The figure is substantially lower than the rainfall recorded during the same month in the previous two years, underlining the subdued nature of this year’s monsoon.
Despite isolated heavy showers in parts of the state, rainfall has remained uneven and insufficient to offset the seasonal shortfall. The deficit follows two consecutive years that witnessed exceptionally active monsoon conditions across Goa.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Goa until August 2, forecasting heavy rain at isolated locations along with gusty winds. Weather officials expect intermittent showers over the next two days, although sustained widespread rainfall is yet to materialise.
