PANAJI: July and August are the mid monsoon months, which usually contributes to about 61 per cent of the seasonal (June-September) rainfall. However, this year due to the La Nina phenomenon, September is likely to witness heavy rainfall as well, former scientist at National Institute of Oceanography DR M Ramesh Kumar said that monsoon in Goa will be more predominant in the months of August and September.
Last week, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General M Mohapatra said in an online briefing, said the Long Period Average (LPA) of monsoon will be 100 percent which falls in “normal” category.
Dr Kumar further said that the onset of monsoon over the State is likely to be June 7.
La Nina is a climate pattern which occurs when the easterly trade winds get stronger and blow more warm water west allowing cold water below the sea’s surface to push towards the top near the South American coast to replace the warm water. La Nina is considered to be the counterpart to El Nino.
“El Nino during winter causes warm conditions over the Indian subcontinent and during summer, it leads to dry conditions and deficient monsoon. Whereas, La Nina results in normal or excess rainfall over the Indian subcontinent including Goa,” Dr Kumar informed.
Responding to weather the State will witness any flood like situation, Dr Kumar stated, “In 2019, the monsoon rainfall over Goa, was 33% above normal, which was really exceptional. The rainfall variability within the monsoon season is very difficult to predict well in advance. But, we hope, that the rainfall over coming monsoon season over Goa should be normal.”