Goa Logs Biggest Monsoon Rainfall Deficit Since 1980, IMD Says

Goa recorded a 31.7 per cent rainfall deficit during the 2026 southwest monsoon, marking its largest negative seasonal rainfall departure in the 1980-2026 period, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The state received an area-weighted average 2,055.4 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, against the normal 3,007.8 mm. The seasonal shortfall stood at about 952.4 mm.

Rainfall remained below normal in each of the four monsoon months. June recorded a 34.6 per cent deficit, followed by 33.4 per cent in July and 20 per cent in August. September recorded the highest monthly deficiency at 44 per cent.

The 2026 seasonal deficit was higher than Goa's previous major shortfalls recorded in the IMD's historical data. The state had recorded deficits of 29 per cent in 2006, 23 per cent in 1986, 21 per cent in 2015 and 19 per cent in 2018.

North Goa recorded a rainfall deficit of 36.8 per cent, receiving 1,950.9 mm against its normal 3,085.5 mm. South Goa received 2,147.7 mm against a normal 2,939.2 mm, resulting in a 26.9 per cent deficit. North Goa's deficit was 9.9 percentage points higher than South Goa's. The districts differed by 196.8 mm overall.

The rainfall pattern also varied significantly among stations. Valpoi recorded the highest seasonal rainfall at 2,836.7 mm, followed by Dharbandora with 2,806.8 mm and Sanguem with 2,634.8 mm.

Panaji recorded the lowest seasonal rainfall among the stations listed, at 1,385 mm. It was followed by Mormugao at 1,527.1 mm, Dabolim at 1,575.1 mm and Mapusa at 1,582.2 mm.

The IMD said the southwest monsoon over Goa was marked by persistent rainfall deficiency throughout the season and considerable spatial variation in rainfall. The latest IMD rainfall records for September 30 also show cumulative rainfall monitoring for the June 1-September 30 period.