Sky clears up, rain gives Goa some respite

PANAJI: The sky cleared up and brighter weather prevailed most part of the day on Tuesday, as the India meteorological department (IMD), Panaji, scaled down its warning to a yellow alert for light to moderate rain during the next two days. “There will be heavy rain in isolated places during the next three days,” said IMD Panaji director K Padgalwar.
A low pressure area over the southern part of Jharkhand, adjoining areas of gangetic West Bengal and north Odisha persists.But this may not affect Goa much, bringing relief from the vigorous monsoon activity for first ten days this month.
Goa’s average rainfall increased slightly during the past 24 hours till Tuesday morning, as IMD Panaji recorded 40mm. But the preceding 48 hours saw just 36mm of rainfall added to the total.
With more than a month and a fortnight for the season to end, the seasonal total has touched 2,791.2mm (109.8 inches), as compared to a normal of 2,365.7mm (93.1 inches) at this stage.
While a quota of just over six inches is needed to touch the normal mark, IMD meteorologists are confident that the season will end with above average rainfall.
During the past 24 hours, only Quepem received heavy rainfall of 65mm, while other centres received light to moderate rain.
Old Goa recorded 59.9mm, Sanguem 53.8mm, Canacona 49.4mm, Sakhali 35.2mm and others on a lesser scale.