NT Reporter
Panaji
Goa crossed the symbolic 100-inch rainfall mark on Wednesday following heavy rains that lashed the state after a lull of five days. The surge, which coincided with Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, disrupted normal life at several places.
The state recorded 75.9 mm of rain within 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Wednesday, marking the fifth-highest single-day rainfall this month. This followed a sequence of intense spells over the past fortnight, with five of the month’s highest rainy days logged on August 14 (67.8 mm), August 18 (105 mm), August 19 (77.4 mm), August 20 (63.5 mm), and August 27 (75.9 mm).
The monsoon had arrived in Goa on May 25, ahead of its normal onset. With Wednesday’s showers, the state crossed the 100-inch milestone in 95 days, a far slower pace than last year, when the mark was achieved in just 51 days on July 22.
The renewed intensity was attributed to a well-marked low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast.
There is an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestwards with height. The system is forecast to move slowly west-northwestwards across Odisha in the next 24 hours, an IMD bulletin said.
While the rainfall brought relief to water tables and reservoirs, authorities cautioned of localised flooding in low-lying areas, traffic disruptions, and possible damage to crops and kutcha houses. Commuters in Panaji and Margao reported waterlogging in several pockets, even as festival celebrations continued amidst intermittent showers.
Given the prevailing conditions, Goa remained under an orange alert on Wednesday. The India meteorological department (IMD) has warned of light to moderate rain at most places, with isolated heavy rainfall expected across the state over the next 48 hours. Winds are likely to gust between 30–50 kmph at isolated pockets.
According to the IMD, the cumulative rainfall from June 1 to August 27 has reached 2,609.2 mm for Goa, almost equaling the seasonal normal of 2,613.9 mm, placing the state marginally at a deficit of just 0.2 per cent.
District-wise, North Goa has received 2,553.3 mm, about 4.7 per cent below normal, while South Goa has recorded 2,658.5 mm, registering a 4 per cent surplus.
On Wednesday, Quepem emerged as the wettest location with 130 mm, classified as very heavy rainfall. Other centres reported substantial showers: Canacona (102.2 mm), Sankhali (99.4 mm), Dharbandora (98.2 mm), Ela–Old Goa (83 mm), Ponda (85 mm), and Pernem (79 mm).
Panaji and Mormugao recorded lighter showers of 39.6 mm and 29.2 mm respectively.
