Goa's average rainfall touches seasonal total with 45 days to spare

PANAJI: The 24-hour rain spell till the morning of Independence Day turned out to be the season’s wettest day. It also pushed the seasonal total to the normal mark of 116inches, with a month and a half to spare.
The state average rainfall on Wednesday was 143mm, said the local meteorological office. The wettest 24-hour spell was 120mm, recorded on July 12.
The surplus soared to 22% from 18%, as seven centres recorded very heavy rainfall on a day when hinterland areas seemed under a deluge.Sanguem recorded the highest quantum of 212.2mm during this spell of widespread and vigorous monsoon activity. IMD Panaji director Krishnamurty Padgalwar confirmed that the state seasonal average rainfall has been exceeded on Wednesday. “Whatever rainfall we receive after August 15 will be surplus,” he said. The IMD had already forecast above normal rainfall for this season.
While a combined system of a low pressure area in Chattisgarh and an offshore trough from Kerala to Karnataka coast has triggered heavy precipitation, the incessant rainfall ensured that the average rainfall of 702.3mm for August was achieved within just a fortnight.
Like Sanguem at the foothills of the Sahyadris, Valpoi recorded 205.2mm, as five other centres recorded rainfall above 159mm.
A few days ago, Valpoi had recorded 239.3mm and Sakahli 210.6mm. During the last fortnight, just five days have seen light to moderate rainfall.
On Thursday, the seasonal total touched 116.3inches, while 95inches is considered normal at this stage.