PANJIM: Goa received the highest monsoon rainfall in a century, recording 41 per cent more than the normal rainfall for the four-month long season, which ended on Wednesday.
With 41 per cent surplus rains, the State broke its six decade average normal trend, when it touched 165.4 inches (4201.7) of rain for the season. It was in 1961 that the State had last recorded 160 inches of rain.
The State’s average seasonal rainfall is 117.14 inches (2975.6mm). The IMD has, however, predicted post-monsoon showers at some isolated places in the coming days.
Since 2010, the Southwest Monsoon rainfall in the State has been above normal six times – in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019 and this year. The second highest rainfall of 33 per cent above normal recorded in the State was last year.
Various factors have been attributed to the increased rainfall, including a low-pressure belt formation in the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Nisarag, low-pressure area in Bay of Bengal, cyclonic circulations, offshore trough etc.
Speaking to Herald, IMD Goa scientist Rahul Mohan said the season this year was different from previous seasons not just for recording the highest seasonal rainfall but also by the consistency of rainfall.
He said that during the four-month season, there were just two days on which none of the rainfall stations recorded any showers.
Though, the 2020 season began from June 1, the onset of monsoon over Goa, was delayed till June 11. The South-West monsoon touched the 100 inch mark of rain within 66 days of the season, the second fastest since 2013.
September recorded 33 inches of rain, while June (42 inches), July (above 50 inches) and August (43 inches) broke some past records.
“June and July recorded almost 15 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively, above normal rainfall for the month, mainly due to cyclone Nisarga and other monsoon enhancing systems formed over the Arabian Sea and circulations over the Konkan Belt,” Mohan explained.
August recorded 67 per cent surplus rains, while it touched 146 per cent in September, because of low pressure areas formed over Bay of Bengal, he added.
As reported earlier, monsoon rains are likely to enjoy an extended period this year as the four-month long weather phenomenon is set for a late withdrawal. IMD has predicted that withdrawal may pick up pace in the coming week.
