Met dept records 37.4°C in Panaji, heatwave-like conditions prevail

Panaji: The capital city experienced heatwave-like conditions on Monday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 37.4°C for Panaji. This marks a 5°C departure from the usual temperature for this time of year.
IMD defines heat waves based on temperature thresholds and departure from normal. Heat waves are declared when certain temperature conditions are met for at least two consecutive days. For coastal areas, a heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature departure is at least 38°C, as per the IMD Goa criteria.
“Some parts of the state of Goa experienced heatwave-like conditions,” said meteorologist and retired NIO scientist MR Ramesh Kumar. He said that such was the occurrence despite the observation that “we do not have any rain-forming clouds or systems in the proximity.”
This, according to the expert, doesn’t bode well. “Panaji experiencing 37.4°C is like pre-monsoon temperatures during the winter season. It is anomalous and does not portend well for the coming months,” he said.
There seems to be no immediate relief in sight as the IMD has forecast dry weather conditions until March 2.