PANAJI
Goa’s weather has been a tale of extremes this year, from scorching heatwave-like situations to record-breaking monsoon rains and now settling into normal winter chill. Each season brought its own unique story keeping both citizens and meteorologists on their toes.
As summer set in, the mercury climbed relentlessly. From late April to mid-May, Goa experienced sweltering conditions with temperatures ranging between 34°C and 36°C giving a heatwave-like spell.
The dry weather prompted authorities to issue advisories urging citizens to avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities during peak hours to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
Relief came in the monsoon, which made a grand entrance with pre-monsoon showers and continued with record-breaking rainfall.
Goa experienced its heaviest monsoon in decades, recording a massive 4,400.7 mm of rain this season (46.3 percent surplus). The July month alone contributed a massive 2,017.3 mm.
To put this in perspective, the last time Goa saw comparable rainfall was in 2020 with 4,165 mm; 2019 with 3,930 mm, 1983 with 3,910 mm and 1961 with 3,995 mm seasonal rainfall.
The pre-monsoon showers from March to May were 117.9mm, more than the normal of 69.8 mm and 69.0 percent excess.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a “normal” winter for the coastal state. “We recorded the highest seasonal rainfall at 4,400.7 mm this season.
The summer saw some heatwave-like situation with temperatures between 34°C and 36°C from the third week of April to mid-May, and Winter is normal for now,” IMD official Nahush Kulkarni said, summing up the year’s weather rollercoaster.
