PANAJI: The northern taluka of Pernem took top honours at this year’s monsoon with a bumper tally of 198.8 inches, beating the hinterland towns of Valpoi, Sanguem and Quepem, which are closer to the western ghats.
In a season that saw the state record its highest rainfall in a century, Valpoi, usually state rainfall topper, finished the season with 178 inches. The capital of Sattari, in the foothills of the Sahyadris, has usually been the state’s wettest place over the past few years.
However, this isn’t the first time Pernem has found itself on top of the list. In 2016, too, it was the wettest place in Goa, with 136 inches.
While Sanguem and Quepem have also been “champions in the past”, the intensity of rainfall in these areas has declined over the past few years.
Quepem recorded 181.2 inches, ahead of Valpoi and Sanguem, with 175.4 inches. Ponda took third place with 175.8 inches during an extremely wet season that saw a 41% surplus.
While regions closer to the Sahyadris attract more rainfall, Pernem is known to often record extremely heavy rainfall. “As per available records, this centre recorded 980.2mm (38.5 inches) in a single day on July 20, 1937,” said Rahul M, scientist, India meteorological department (IMD).
This season, this area, around 11.2km from the coast, saw lots of rainfall due to systems in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. “The hilly terrain could be the reason for heavy rainfall activity in Pernem region, and the wind pattern must have aided it throughout the four months,” Rahul said.