BY AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
Goa's wait for rains got longer, even as many parts of the State experienced extremely hot weather conditions on Monday.
An IMD spokesperson said the heat could get worse because the arrival of the monsoon has been delayed as it is yet to make its onset over Kerala.
It was predicted that the monsoon season will start in Kerala on June 4 – plus or minus four days- so one has to wait and watch till June 8, the spokesperson stated.
However, despite the forecast of a delay, Goans can heave a sigh of relief as pre-monsoon showers have been predicted from June 5 to 7, the IMD stated.
“A yellow alert has been issued and with it, the chances of pre-monsoon showers are high in most parts of Goa,” was the IMD forecast issued in the afternoon.
“It is not possible to predict when the monsoon will reach Goa after it hits Kerala. There is no fixed pattern to predict that. Goa can expect rains anytime after it hits Kerala,” explained the spokesperson.
“The rains that lashed South Goa were pre-monsoon showers and these were brought by the wind. North Goa did not witness pre-monsoon showers because the winds stopped close to the border of Karnataka," the spokesperson said.
“There were less rains during the pre-monsoon showers but they are expected to pick up in the next three days with gusty showers in parts of Goa,” added the spokesperson.
Till then, people in Goa will have to find ways to beat the summer heat till the rains arrive – and this could be one of the longest waits.
Meanwhile, parts of Goa received showers last week bringing some respite to areas where it rained. While it rained heavily in Margao, Salcete, Tiswadi remained dry, except for a slight drizzle.
