Panaji: Despite the southwest monsoon arriving in Goa on schedule, the state is witnessing one of its weakest starts to the rainy season in recent memory, with rainfall activity remaining unusually subdued and weather conditions resembling the pre-monsoon period.Data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Goa, shows that between June 1 and June 16, Goa received just 165.8mm of rainfall against the normal 405.5mm, resulting in a cumulative deficit of 59.1%. North Goa recorded a deficit of 63.1%, while South Goa registered a deficit of 55.5%.The shortfall was particularly evident on June 16, when the state received an average rainfall of only 2.4mm against the normal 43.8mm. North Goa recorded 3.8mm compared to its normal of 42.1mm, while South Goa received just 1.2mm against the normal 45.4mm.Meteorological experts described the situation as a prolonged dry spell following the onset of the southwest monsoon.“The first week after the onset of the monsoon over Goa saw moderate to normal rainfall, but subsequently the rainfall received over the state was almost insignificant, amounting to a dry spell,” said MR Ramesh Kumar, retired chief scientist at NIO Goa.Among the talukas, Canacona recorded the highest seasonal rainfall at 401.4mm, followed by Mormugao with 225.4mm till Tuesday morning. Panaji received only 102.2mm, while Sanguem recorded the lowest rainfall at 97.5mm.The lack of widespread rainfall has also led to persistently hot and humid conditions, an unusual feature for this stage of the monsoon season.On Tuesday, Panaji recorded a maximum temperature of 33.8°C, four degrees above normal, while Mormugao registered 34.1°C, also four degrees above normal. Minimum temperatures remained elevated as well, with Panaji recording 27.8°C, 3.3 degrees above normal, and Mormugao 28.2°C, 3.5 degrees above normal.
