Panaji: Despite the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) yellow alert rainfall warning for the day, maximum temperatures across the state remained uncomfortably elevated at 2°C above normal levels. Official weather observations revealed that completely dry conditions prevailed across Goa on Tuesday, with meteorological stations registering zero precipitation over the last 24-hour cycle. In Panaji, actual temperatures hovered around 31.6°C, but high humidity levels near 75% spiked the apparent temperature index to 41°C, matching the scorching heat index of 41.9°C recorded in the desert of Bikaner, Rajasthan, the same day.The IMD, which had initially issued a three-day yellow alert from Sept 22 to 24, reduced the alert to only two days on Tuesday. The IMD has warned of a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40kmph), with heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places over North and South Goa on Wednesday.Cumulative seasonal totals indicate an average rainfall deficit of 32.5% for Goa, with North Goa trailing normal figures by 37% and South Goa down by 28.4% since the start of the monsoon cycle. As persistent atmospheric dry spells continue to overwrite rain forecasts, the contrast between official weather warnings and ground-level reality highlights growing weather volatility, leaving the region sweltering without immediate environmental respite.The prolonged dry spell has deepened the state’s cumulative seasonal deficit. Since June 1, Goa has recorded 1,981.7mm of rainfall against a seasonal normal of 2,937mm, representing an overall shortfall of 32.5%. North Goa remains the hardest hit with a 37% deficit, while South Goa trails normal levels by 28.4%. Despite a yellow alert, Goa swelters under a “feels like” temperature of 41°C, hotter than Bikaner.
