PANJIM: The Southwest monsoon finally set over Goa on Thursday after a delay of five days. It normally arrives by June 6.
With the arrival of monsoon, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa has put the coastal State under warning of red colour code, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday, while an orange code for Sunday.
IMD in a statement said that the southwest monsoon advanced into parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Goa, some parts of Konkan, madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada.
“With the strengthening of monsoon conditions and due to the westward movement of a low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, rainfall activity over Goa is expected to increase with effect from today (Thursday),” IMD said.
It added that extremely heavy rainfall, exceeding 20.4cm in 24 hours, is likely over the State on Friday and Saturday. Also, very heavy rainfall, exceeding 11.5 cm in 24 hours, is expected on Sunday. Heavy rainfall will continue even on Monday.
Due to rough sea conditions accompanied by strong wind currents, IMD has warned fishermen against venturing into sea till June 15.
Meanwhile, parts of the State received heavy rains on Thursday as a result of the low pressure system.
The 2019 monsoon, which was delayed by nearly ten days, was the wettest for Goa with a record 155 inches of rains. The bumper rains brought unprecedented floods, extensive damage to crops and houses across the State.
