THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
PANJIM: Cyclone Nisarga, which will intensify into severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday, brought heavy to very heavy rains to Goa on Tuesday, disrupting normal life.
Pre-monsoon showers, resulting from the low-pressure area in the Arabian Sea, lashed the State with reports of flooding and uprooting of trees reported from several parts, exposing the lack of pre-monsoon work. The State had received 44 mm of rain till Tuesday evening. The onset of the southwest monsoons over Goa is expected on June 6.
Goa is on Orange alert till June 3, while a Yellow alert has been issued for June 4 and June 5, with fishermen directed not to venture into the sea during the period.
“The low-pressure system has intensified into Nisarga cyclone and is centred approximately 270 kms away from Goa coast,” IMD Goa scientist Rahul Mohan said, adding that the cyclone is heading towards the Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts.
IMD said that as a result of the cyclonic storm, the State will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall with a wind speed of 45-55 kmph till June 3. While the currents may weaken, rains will continue till June 5.
IMD also said that the sea conditions will be very rough along the Maharashtra and Goa coasts.
Meanwhile, the pre-monsoon showers on Tuesday exposed the delay in commencement of pre-monsoon works, which was due to labour shortage and the COVID pandemic. It led to flooding and over flowing of drains across the State.
Panjim also reported water logging at various places, with Mayor Uday Madkaikar supervising the situation. A joint inspection along with officials of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) and Smart City Mission was held at various places, which saw flooding due to poor quality works.
