Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 7: After an early surge of monsoon showers, Goa is now grappling with sweltering heat and sticky humidity as the southwest monsoon weakens across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that rainfall has significantly dropped over the past two days, leaving residents longing for the cool reprieve that usually accompanies this time of year.

The season began with promise: pre-monsoon showers arrived on May 20, and the monsoon officially set in on May 25. However, rainfall has since stagnated not only in Goa but also in neighbouring coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

“The southwest monsoon has been weak over Goa with very light to light rainfall recorded at a few places. Several areas have reported no rain at all,” an IMD official from Goa said.

Rainfall data from the last 24 hours highlights the lull: six key rain gauge stations — Mapusa, Sanquelim, Dharbandora, Dabolim, Mormugao, and Quepem — reported no rain, while three stations logged light rain and one recorded very light rain.

With little cloud cover, daytime temperatures have soared to around 33°C, and minimum temperatures have hovered near 26.4°C — a muggy combination that has left locals uncomfortable.

Looking ahead, the IMD predicts light to moderate showers across Goa from June 7 to June 12, though the state remains under a green alert, indicating no severe weather warnings.

Former Chief Scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography, Dr Ramesh Kumar, attributes the lull to unfavourable synoptic conditions that have stalled the monsoon’s progress along India’s west coast.

“The monsoon reached Maharashtra’s west coast on May 26 but has shown no further advancement along the west coast of India. Meanwhile, it has progressed further over the Bay of Bengal,” Dr Kumar said.

He added that the absence of a conducive weather system — including a strong low-level jet stream crucial for transporting moisture inland — has hampered the monsoon’s strength over Goa.

However, he clarified that the current situation does not signify a break in the monsoon, but rather a temporary weak phase that could shift in the coming days.

For now, residents will have to endure a few more days of hot and humid conditions before the clouds gather once again.