PANJIM: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday withdrew the red alert of extremely heavy rains and lowered it to orange alert of heavy to very heavy rains for the next two days.
“The monsoon has been active over Goa during the last 24 hours and in the present conditions it is expected that it will continue for next two days,” IMD said and added, “Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at few places and extremely heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over the entire State.” The heavy rain warning is in place till September 21.
Speaking to Herald, MET Director M L Sahu said, “The red alert issued has now been withdrawn but the orange alert continues with heavy to very heavy rainfall”
He said that fishermen are advised not to go out in the sea during the next 24 hours as the winds will be westerly to south westerly with speed of 45-50 kmph temporarily/momentarily reaching 60 kmph in gusts/squalls. Sea will be rough with westerly to south westerly waves.
An upper air cyclonic circulation over west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal had its impact on the rainfall pattern, which is expected to continue for the next few days.
Since Saturday, rainfall played havoc in the State with almost every region receiving rains. The south-west monsoon normally withdraws from the coast by end of September. The total seasonal rainfall has touched the 80 inch mark, much below the average rainfall of the State.
