Panaji: A
monsoon that started promisingly and progressed largely well, ended in a 19% deficit – the fourth consecutive year that it has culminated in a shortfall mode since 2015.
The 19% shortfall is treated as normal. It was only in 2015 that the deficit exceeded by one percent (20%). This year, the total could not even hit the 100-inch mark.
The last day (24 hours till 8.30am on Sunday, September 30) witnessed light to moderate rainfall. While the monsoon has been known for its uncertainties,
India meteorological department (IMD),
Panaji recorded a total of 2410.5mm (only 94.9 inches) during the four-month season.
A total of 2971.7mm (116.9 inches) is considered normal but the deficit kept mounting from 9% by July 31 to 14% by August 31 due to slackening rainfall activity. There were actually no dry spells till September 9, as it rained every day.
Meteorologists at IMD, Panaji said the seasonal total is within normal range. “For the last four years, we are getting less rainfall but within the normal range,” M L Sahu, director, IMD, Panaji said.
Significantly, the mid-monsoon July-August period has also witnessed below-average rainfall in Goa for four years since 2015. July is the season’s wettest month but produced less than its quota of 1104.3mm. In turn, August, which had a good record in the past decade has reduced in intensity, below the normal of 681.2mmm.
A comparison of figures for the last 12 years indicates that poor rainfall activity consecutively for two months in July-August has shrunk the seasonal total since 2015 to 2018. The impact was most felt in 2015 when the seasonal deficit rose to 20%
Representative image 
