Monsoon covers entire Goa, yellow alert up for four days

Panaji: The southwest monsoon which had advanced over South Goa on Friday, moved further and crossed the remaining parts of Goa and covered some more parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra and other adjoining regions, though sunny conditions mostly prevailed during the day.

While the conditions are favourable for its further advance into more parts of central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, Karnataka and other regions, the rainfall activity picked up momentum in the evening. Many places received brisk rainfall during the night.

India meteorological department (IMD), Panaji, declared the advance of the southwest monsoon over the rest of Goa based on other parameters like moisture and wind conditions.

During the last 24 hours till Saturday morning, the rainfall was widespread but light and moderate in a few places.

It was only Old Goa that recorded heavy rainfall of 81.8mm while Dabolim received 31.8mm, Dharbandora 18.3mm, Margao 15.5mm and Panaji 11mm.

The rest of the centres recorded light rainfall.

While the monsoon has advanced over Goa, it is yet to gather momentum, as it often happens as part of variations and fluctuations.

The light to moderate rainfall - and heavy in isolated places - has accumulated a total of 51.5mm so far, while a total of 75.5mm is considered normal at this stage – a deficit of 31%.

The highest daily average of 24-hour rainfall was 19.2mm on Friday and IMD, Panaji, recorded 16.7mm on Saturday morning.

An upper air cyclonic circulation over coastal Karnataka and neighbourhood lay over south Kerala and nearby regions at 23.1 km above mean sea level.

IMD, Panaji, has issued a yellow coded alert for the next four days till Wednesday, as moderate rainfall or thundershower are very likely to occur over both Goa during late afternoon and evening hours.

The thunderstorm is likely to be accompanied with lightning, gusty winds of 40 to 50km per hour and heavy rainfall is likely over isolated places.