The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Panaji, has issued a yellow alert for Goa on Tuesday and Wednesday as conditions become favorable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon over parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Arabian Sea. The alert warns of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour at isolated places. Rainfall is expected to remain mostly light during this period.
Recent Rainfall and Pre-Monsoon Activity
The warning comes after a brief lull in pre-monsoon activity. Between May 27 and May 30, Goa recorded an average daily rainfall of just 4.5 millimeters, while hot and humid conditions prevailed across the state. However, rainfall activity picked up over the last 24 hours ending Sunday morning, with the state receiving 7 millimeters of rain. Moderate showers were reported from Sanguem (39.5 millimeters) and Canacona (35.2 millimeters), while Quepem recorded 4.2 millimeters. Rainfall data from Margao, Valpoi, Panaji, and Dharbandora was unavailable.
Cumulative Rainfall Exceeds Normal
Despite the recent slowdown, cumulative pre-monsoon rainfall reached 79.4 millimeters on Sunday, exceeding the normal of 69.8 millimeters by 13.8 percent. This indicates that overall pre-monsoon precipitation has been above average for the season.
Temperature Trends
Hot and humid weather persisted across Goa. Panaji recorded a maximum temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which is 2.4 degrees above normal and slightly higher than Saturday's 35.1 degrees Celsius. Night temperatures also remained elevated, with the minimum touching 28.8 degrees Celsius, more than 3 degrees above normal. In Mormugao, the minimum temperature eased marginally to 28.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday after reaching 29 degrees Celsius on Friday and 28.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday. However, the maximum temperature rose to 35 degrees Celsius from around 34 degrees Celsius over the previous two days.
Forecast and Precautions
The IMD advises residents and visitors to take precautions during the yellow alert period. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds can cause temporary disruptions, including damage to vulnerable structures and power outages. It is advisable to stay indoors during storms, avoid open areas, and secure loose objects. Light rainfall is expected, but the primary concern remains the strong winds and lightning activity.
