Panaji: The southwest monsoon gained momentum on Monday after a 10-day break, bringing widespread rainfall across the state and the maximum temperature dropping by nearly 4° C in Panaji.The revival of rainfall has been attributed to a combination of favourable synoptic conditions such as enhanced moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea, stronger marine influence and a favourable low-level jet stream that have together created conditions conducive for widespread rainfall.Parishes across Goa organised special prayers and processions on Sunday, seeking timely and adequate rainfall amid the state’s prolonged dry spell.The state recorded 21.6mm of rainfall (till 8.30am) on Monday, making it the second-highest daily rainfall total recorded so far this month, after 24.7mm recorded on June 10.“Though this is the second-highest rainfall recorded this month, it is not necessarily a positive sign by itself because the rest of the month has been unusually dry,” said meteorologist and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) chief scientist (retired) M R Ramesh Kumar.Monsoon activity had almost stopped around June 12. The dry spell contributed to the rainfall deficit touching 72% until Sunday.The cumulative monsoon rainfall however remains a concern. Between June 1 and June 22, Goa received only 189.1 mm of rainfall against the normal 641.4 mm, leaving the state with a seasonal deficit of 70.5%.If the current rainfall pattern continues over the next several days, it could help reduce the June deficit.“The question is can the last 10 days of June compensate for the shortfall recorded during the first three weeks of the month. While completely eliminating the deficit may be difficult, continued rainfall can substantially reduce it,” Kumar said.On Monday, Panaji recorded a maximum temperature of 30.5°C while the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.8°C and humidity levels remained high at 92%. Mormugao reported a maximum temperature of 30.4°C and a minimum temperature of 25°C. Humidity at Mormugao peaked higher than Panaji at 97%.The IMD has issued a yellow alert till June 26 warning of moderate rainfall likely over the state and heavy rainfall likely at isolated places.
