Depression in Arabian Sea hit Goa worse than cyclone

Panaji: A depression, albeit not a deep one, in the Arabian Sea caused more damage than a cyclone, as its proximity to the coast and its week-long persistence triggered the fifth wettest post-monsoon season in decades, making it Goa’s fifth wettest post-monsoon season in 125 years, with a surplus of 143.9%.

The depression, which began as a low pressure area on Oct 19, produced over 330mm of rainfall, with more than 280mm occurring in just four days. This contributed to the total post-season rainfall of 435.6mm.

The prolonged rainfall delayed Goa’s tourism activities. “Even a small depression can create havoc or disturb a gamut of social activities like Oktoberfest causing losses in a small state like Goa,” said M R Ramesh Kumar, NIO chief scientist (retired).

The agricultural impact has been severe as well, with paddy crops being flattened by the abnormal rainfall. The state’s economy experienced significant disruption due to these weather conditions. The depression’s trajectory came within 380km of Panaji. “The devastating rainfall over Goa was due to the combo effect of two convective systems—the depression in the Arabian Sea and the formation of severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal,” Kumar said.

The unusual weather event has become more significant due to extreme climate change conditions since 2019. Rising sea surface temperatures in the north Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, are increasingly triggering cyclogenetic conditions.

Cyclone Montha, while causing minimal impact as a depression, created significant damage after making landfall in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in loss of lives in Odisha and parts of Tamil Nadu.

The progression of cyclones typically begins as a low pressure area (LPA), intensifying into a well-marked LPA, depression, deep depression, and finally developing into a cyclonic storm, severe cyclonic storm, or super cyclone.

“The depression lasted very long and all talukas were hit. Some farmers have claimed loss of their entire crop,” said agriculture director Sandeep Fol Dessai. The agriculture department is still assessing the extent of crop damage.