Panaji: Sanguem was the only place in Goa to receive rain during the 24 hours ending at 8.30am on Tuesday, recording just 4.3mm. No rain was reported elsewhere as the southwest monsoon remained weak, according to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) daily rainfall report.The rainfall deficit widened further across the state. North Goa recorded no rain against the normal 31.7mm, resulting in a 100% deficit. South Goa received just 0.5mm against the normal 34.9mm, a deficit of 98.5%. Overall, Goa recorded an area-weighted average rainfall of only 0.3mm against the normal 33.4mm, a shortfall of 99.1% for the day.Seasonal rainfall since June 1 also remained well below normal. North Goa has received 829mm against the normal 1,415.7mm, a deficit of 41.4%. South Goa has recorded 977.7mm against 1,364.8mm, a deficit of 28.4%. Statewide rainfall stands at 908mm, 34.6% below the seasonal average of 1,388.7mm.“A hattrick of non-rainy days is really a disturbing scenario, as Goa is starting one of the most deficit months of July in recent decades,” said meteorologist and retired National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) chief scientist M R Ramesh Kumar.He attributed the weak monsoon to Typhoon Bavi, which formed over the south China Sea on July 1, made landfall over eastern China and dissipated on July 11.The IMD has forecast light rain at scattered places across Goa till July 16. Rainfall activity is expected to increase slightly from July 17, with light to moderate rain likely through July 20.
