PANJIM: Unlike like yesteryears, rain this year may not play spoilsport during the Ganesh festivities, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Altinho, on Sunday predicting that the State is likely to witness another dry spell.
There was no weather warning from the IMD for the next four days — from September 18 to 21.
It may be recalled that the weather department had issued a yellow alert for Saturday and Sunday and predicted heavy rainfall was likely at isolated places during these two days.
However, in its forecast for farmers, the IMD stated that light to moderate rainfall was very likely at most places over South and North Goa district till September 23.
In spite of a long-range forecast by the IMD, Delhi, the State has received below normal rainfall so far this month.
As per the IMD, the State received 3.46 inches of average rainfall as against normal rainfall of 2.7 inches between September 7 and 13, registering a departure of 27 per cent.
As far as seasonal rainfall was concerned, the State received 112.91 inches of average rainfall as against 111.9 inches of rainfall, marking a departure of 1 per cent, during the period of June 1, 2023 to September 13, 2023.
Meanwhile, during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, Quepem received 2.7 inches of rainfall, Sankhali 1.28 inches, Dabolim 1.08 inches, Canacona 0.63 inches, Mormugao 0.57 inches and Panjim 0.4 inches of rainfall.
