Goa records season’s second wettest 24-hour spell

PANAJI: In another torrential spell, seven of the 13 rain gauge stations recorded rainfall above the 100-mm mark, as a combo effect of two systems produced the second wettest 24-hour spell of the season.
On Friday morning, the state average recored was 117.1 mm. However, June 17, which recorded 137.3mm state average rainfall, still remains the wettest 24-hour spell of this season.
During the second wettest spell, Sakhali was under a deluge for most of the time, as the centre recorded very heavy rainfall of 196.4mm. In a 24-hour spell, rainfall of 205mm is considered extremely heavy. In comparison, a rainfall of 189.7mm had been recorded at Old Goa in mid-June.
“The 24-hour rainfall (in Sakhali) is the highest reported by a rain gauge station in this season. The state average rainfall recorded is also the second highest in this season so far, making it the second wettest day of the season,” Rahul M, scientist at India meteorological department (IMD), Panaji, said.
While figures of Valpoi and Ponda were not available, a few centres recorded very heavy rainfall - Margao recorded 151.2mm, Dabolim 140.8mm, Pernem 130.8mm and Quepem 120.8mm.
Other centres recorded heavy rainfall, including Canacona 112.8mm, Mapusa 100.4mm, Sanguem 93.5mm, Old Goa 91.8mm and Panaji 88.5mm. Only Quepem recorded moderate rainfall of 59.8mm.
The rainfall has been steady so far despite a brief lull in third week of June, as the seasonal total touched 1246.8mm. At this stage, a total of 1016.3mm is considered normal, which means the surplus is 23%.
The torrential spell has been triggered by a shear zone over south Maharashtra and the intensification of monsoon current.
A cyclonic circulation has also formed over coastal Andhra Pradesh.
IMD, Panaji, has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places till Saturday morning.
Further, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at a few places on Saturday and Sunday while the intensity will decrease subsequently.
Heavy rainfall is very likely at a few places with very heavy rainfall at isolated places on Monday and Tuesday.