Panaji: Goa continued to experience sweltering conditions on Sunday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording a maximum temperature of 36°C while the “feels like” temperature surged to a scorching 47.3°C during peak afternoon hours.Weather experts attributed the oppressive heat to the near absence of pre-monsoon showers across the state this summer season.“Traditionally, May is one of the wettest months before the onset of the southwest monsoon. However, Goa had one of the weakest pre-monsoon seasons till date,” said meteorologist and retired chief scientist from the National Institute of Oceanography, MR Ramesh Kumar.“The insignificant rainfall even in May has resulted in rising temperatures across the state during the past few days, making it almost two degrees above normal,” he said.So far, the highest pre-monsoon rainfall this season was recorded at Quepem with 38.8mm, followed by Dharbandora at 24.5mm. In contrast, stations at Panaji, Pernem and Canacona recorded no rainfall during the same period. The rainfall activity helped marginally reduce the seasonal rainfall deficit in the state, which now stands at 46%.The IMD recorded an average daily rainfall of 3.2mm between 8.30am on May 9 and 8.30am on May 10.Meteorologists expect isolated pre-monsoon showers to continue over parts of Goa in the coming days, however, a yellow alert for heat has been issued for Monday, warning of hot and humid conditions in isolated parts of the state.
