Southwest monsoon likely to reach Goa by weekend

Panaji: The southwest monsoon is expected to make its onset over Goa by this weekend, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast favourable conditions for the monsoon’s advancement along the west coast over the next few days. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Thursday. While its normal onset date over Goa is June 5, it is expected to arrive over the Goa coast four days after Kerala this year.“We are not giving any particular date, but we can say that by this weekend, we are expecting the onset over Goa,” IMD director Nahush Kulkarni told TOI.The weather department has forecast increasing rainfall across Goa over the coming week as the monsoon system advances northward.According to the IMD’s forecast, atmospheric conditions are favourable for the further progression of the southwest monsoon over parts of the Arabian Sea and adjoining coastal regions, including Goa, during the next 2-3 days.The arrival of the monsoon is expected to bring relief to the state after several weeks of pre-monsoon heat and humidity.Forecasts indicate temperatures are likely to remain within the 33°C-34°C range in the immediate future. However, a gradual decline is possible depending on rainfall intensity and cloud cover associated with the advancing monsoon.The IMD has issued a yellow alert over Goa till June 8, warning of moderate rainfall. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds (40- 50kmph) and heavy rainfall are likely to occur at isolated places during this time.