PANJIM: After missing its normal date by nearly two weeks, the southwest monsoon is set to withdraw from the entire country around October 28. Goa had received the highest monsoon rainfall in a century, recording 41 per cent more than the normal rainfall for the four-month long season that officially ended on September 30.
The post-monsoon showers, too, are above 35 per cent normal for the coastal State until Monday, October 26.
The southwest monsoon normally withdraws from the country by October 15. The monsoon’s extended stay was brought on by the rain-boosting La Nina phenomenon.
“With likely setting in of northeasterly winds in the lower tropospheric levels along and off east coast of India and adjoining Bay of Bengal, including over Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts. The southwest monsoon is likely to withdraw from entire country around 28 October,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a press statement issued.
Simultaneously, the northeast monsoon rains are likely to commence over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas of Karnataka and Kerala from Wednesday, October 28.
Though, the 2020 season began from June 1, the onset of monsoon over Goa, was delayed till June 11.
With 41 per cent surplus rains, the State broke its six decade average normal trend, when it touched 165.4 inches of rain for the season. The State’s average seasonal rainfall is 117.14 inches.
With a delayed stay and in excess, rains caused severe damage to crops, which in turn has pushed up prices of onions, tomatoes, potatoes and other veggies across country, including Goa.
