Rainfall activity dips, deficit rises over 8%

Panaji: In a lean spell that had moderate rainfall only once in Aug, hardly 73mm of rainfall has been added to the seasonal total, as India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recorded a deficit of 8.3%.Though it hasn’t been totally dry, 46.8mm of the rain out of 72.7mm during nine days of Aug has been recorded in 24-hour phases on two occasions. On the morning of Aug 6, IMD recorded a moderate daily average of 33.5mm, the highest during this month this year and 13.3mm on Saturday morning.On seven other days of weak monsoon activity, only 25.9mm were added to the seasonal total. The deficit, however, is within normal range, as the surplus or shortfall below 20% is considered normal.On Saturday, the Sanguem centre recorded the highest rainfall of 23.2mm, Pernem 20.8mm, Dabolim 18mm, Dharbandora 16.6mm, Mormugao 13.6mm, Ponda 13mm, Panaji 12.2mm, Old Goa 11.5mm and other centres on a lesser scale. The figures of Quepem, Margao, Valpoi and Mapusa were not available.IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall till Aug 12 and heavy rainfall in isolated places on Aug 13 and 14.