Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 23: Goa continued to experience uncomfortable heat on Tuesday despite an India Meteorological Department (IMD) yellow alert for rainfall, with maximum temperatures remaining around 2°C above normal.

Official weather observations showed completely dry conditions across the state, with meteorological stations recording no rainfall during the 24-hour period ending Tuesday.

In Panaji, the actual temperature was around 31.6°C, but high humidity of nearly 75 per cent pushed the apparent temperature to 41°C. This was comparable to the heat index of 41.9°C recorded in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on the same day.

The IMD had initially issued a three-day yellow alert for Goa from September 22 to 24, but reduced it to two days on Tuesday.

The weather agency has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, with heavy rainfall likely at isolated places in both North and South Goa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Goa's cumulative rainfall deficit has widened amid the prolonged dry spell.

Since June 1, the state has received 1,981.7 mm of rainfall against the seasonal normal of 2,937 mm, resulting in an overall deficit of 32.5 per cent.

North Goa has recorded a 37 per cent shortfall from normal rainfall, while South Goa has registered a deficit of 28.4 per cent.

The continuing dry conditions, despite rainfall warnings, have highlighted the increasing contrast between weather forecasts and conditions on the ground, with Goa continuing to experience high temperatures and humidity amid a significant seasonal rainfall deficit.