NT Reporter
Panaji
Goa witnessed its highest 24-hour rainfall of the post-monsoon season, recording 78.6 mm till 8.30 am on Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Panaji.
The downpour was accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph, gusting up to 50 kmph, affecting normal life at some places.
The rainfall, influenced by a depression over the east-central Arabian Sea, marks the highest single-day total for the post-monsoon season in 2025.
The weather system, located about 380 km west-northwest of Panaji, is expected to move northwestward, continuing to bring unsettled weather across through the weekend. While Saturday’s 78.6 mm rainfall stands out this season, Goa has witnessed more intense 24-hour rainfall events in recent years.
The state’s record 24-hour rainfall was 176.6 mm on October 7, 2021, followed by 151.7 mm on October 25, 2019, 138.9 mm on October 26, 2014, and 67.8 mm on October 8, 2017.
Other significant events include 60.6 mm on October 16, 2020 and 50.7 mm on October 12, 2016.
The all-time October record remains 176.6 mm (October 7, 2021), making this year’s event moderate by comparison, though remarkable for a late October system.
The IMD bulletin shows that as of October 25, Goa received 1385.5 mm of rainfall, which is 26.5 per cent above normal.
North Goa received 65.4 mm on Friday, taking its cumulative total to 1190.8 mm, 35.4 per cent above normal.
South Goa recorded 86.5 mm, with cumulative rainfall of 1552.0 mm, 18.8 per cent above normal.
Within the 24-hour span, Canacona topped the list with 142.2 mm, followed by Mormugao (104.8 mm), Panaji (90.0 mm), Dabolim (82.8 mm), and Mapusa (79.2 mm). Moderate rainfall was reported in Sanguem (60.4 mm) and Ponda (70.0 mm).
The IMD forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall across Goa on October 26, with thunderstorms and lightning expected to persist through October 29.
Winds are likely to blow at 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph, with rough sea conditions along the Konkan-Goa coast.
From October 30 to 31, rainfall intensity is expected to reduce gradually, though skies will remain generally cloudy with light to moderate thundershowers. Maximum temperatures will hover around 29°C, while minimum temperatures will stay near 24°C.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea due to squally weather conditions along and off the Goa coast till October 28.