Team Herald
PANJIM: After weakening for over two weeks, the monsoon returned after low pressure belts along east Madhya Pradesh and east Rajasthan brought relief to the west coast including Goa. The State received moderate to heavy showers on Tuesday.
However, the weakened monsoon currents affected the total seasonal rainfall. After recording nearly 30 percent of rainfall above normal in the season’s first two months – June and July – the seasonal total in August was two percent below the normal average. Till date the total rainfall for the season has touched 97 inches.
Despite this, as per IMD, Goa continues to receive the highest amount of rainfall along the west coast compared to other States. Goa is followed by Mumbai which has recorded 60 inches of rainfall, till date.
IMD Goa Observatory officials confirmed that the monsoon currents were very weak over the west coast for the last 15 days as a result of which the seasonal rainfall is two percent below normal. “But two percent less rains is considered as equal to normal monsoons,” the official said.
In July, Goa recorded 39 inches of rains, which was comparatively lower than the rains in June which were 48 inches, which was nearly 30 percent more than the normal. In August, till date, the State has received just 10 inches of rain.
“Monsoons are always marked by a strong monsoon period and weak period,” the official said adding that it is a normal phenomenon.
The senior official said that the monsoon currents have become active with a low pressure belt belong developed along east Madhya Pradesh and one along east Rajasthan. “These low pressure belts have brought rains to entire west coast including Goa,” he said.
On Monday evening and Tuesday, rains accompanied by winds lashed several parts of the State bringing some respite from the soaring mercury. Almost all the talukas received rains. IMD predicted more rains over the next five days.
