Panaji mercury climbs to 35.1°C after brief respite

Panaji: The searing heat conditions persisted towards the end of the summer month, as the maximum temperature inched up to 35.1°C in the city and the mercury dipped fractionally by just 0.2 degrees on Friday night in Mormugao.The port town was reeling under oppressive heat on Thursday night, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Panaji, had recorded the highest minimum temperature of the current season at 29°C in Mormugao.But on Friday night, the mercury fell by just 0.2°C to 28.8°C, as locals continued to experience warm and sultry weather despite being close to the sea.In a month that witnessed extremely sultry conditions, the Panaji meteorological centre had recorded the highest minimum temperature of 29.2°C — 2.2 degrees above normal — a week ago in the city.The warmest night in the city was when IMD, Panaji, recorded a minimum temperature of 29.8°C on May 23, 2023.Earlier, on May 12, the city had recorded a rise in the mercury during the night hours to 29°C.In a month that saw the city recording maximum temperatures of over 36°C for the highest number of days during the first fortnight of May, there was some relief during the second half.But over the weekend, the day temperature rose to 35.1°C, which was 1.4 degrees above normal.No significant rainfall has been recorded during the last few days.