Team Herald
PANJIM: The monsoon is likely to enjoy an extended period in Goa this year as the four-month long weather phenomenon is set for a late withdrawal.
Normally, the south-west monsoon withdraws from the coastal State and the entire country by October 15.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa observatory official Rahul Mohan said that it is too early to predict the withdrawal of monsoon from the State, as IMD has forecasted probability of monsoon prolonging. “The normal date of withdrawal from Goa is October 15,” Mohan said.
The expert explained that as per normal dates, withdrawal from the extreme parts of North West India is Sept 1. “However, it has not happened this time. This year, monsoon is expected to start withdrawal from the North-West region between Sept 11 and Sept 17,” he said.
Last year the monsoon started withdrawing on Oct 9, against the normal date of Sept 1, and prolonged rains, saw a record 150 inches of showers during the season. The monsoon completed its withdrawal by Oct 17, last year.
So far September received weak rainfall with just 3.7 inches of rains till Thursday, September 11. The month of June recorded 42 inches of rains, July crossed 50 inches while
August received 43 inches. The State’s total seasonal rainfall till date has been 139.02 inches as against its average trend of 110.20 inches for the period.
