At 28°C, Goa records season’s warmest night

Panaji: Goa recorded its warmest night of the summer on the intervening night of Sunday, with high minimum temperatures and humidity reported across the state.India meteorological department (IMD) data showed Panaji logging a minimum temperature of 28.4°C, around 2°C above normal, while Mormugao recorded 28°C, about 1.1°C higher than average. With relative humidity at 83% in Panaji and 85% in Mormugao, it increased the effective temperature further.The combination of heat and humidity led to uncomfortable nights for residents, offering little respite after hot daytime conditions. Over the past three days, maximum temperatures in Goa have consistently touched 35°C.Meteorologist and retired National Institute of Oceanography chief scientist M R Ramesh Kumar said several factors are behind the intensifying heat. Among them is the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas retain more heat than surrounding rural regions.“The recent pattern of consecutive high maximum temperatures, combined with increasing urbanisation and humidity levels, is amplifying the overall heat stress,” he told TOI.The IMD has forecast light rain or thundershowers during late afternoon or evening hours on April 28, with no significant change in temperatures. Dry and mainly sunny conditions are expected on April 29.