Team Herald
PANJIM: For the third year in a row, the four-month long Southwest Monsoon season ended on a surplus note. This year, Goa received six per cent excess rains.
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The State’s average seasonal rainfall is 117.14 inches (2975.6mm), however this year, it recorded 124.18 inches (3154.1mm) of rains.
The monsoon season officially ended on Thursday, however the withdrawal is expected to be delayed.
Since 2010, the Southwest Monsoon rainfall in the State has been above normal seven times – in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021 and this year. The year 2020, recorded 41 per cent surplus rains, with 165.4 inches, highest in a century. Before that the highest rainfall of 33 per cent above normal was recorded in 2019.
Various factors have been attributed to the increased rainfall, including back to back formation of a low-pressure belts in the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Tauktae, low-pressure area in Bay of Bengal, cyclonic circulations, offshore trough etc. August, this year, ended with 49 per cent deficit rainfall, after witnessing excess showers for the two consecutive seasons. August recorded the lowest rainfall of the decade with only 14 inches of rains (361 cm).
The month of June and July, together recorded 87 inches of rainfall, while September saw 23 inches of showers. July 19 was the wettest day of the season with over 5 inches of rainfall, whereas the Pernem station recorded highest 161 inches of rainfall for the season.
As reported earlier, monsoon rains are likely to enjoy an extended period this year as the weather phenomenon is set for a late withdrawal. IMD has predicted that withdrawal may pick up pace from October 6 over Northwest India.
