Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in Goa over next few days, farmers warned against sowing seeds

PANAJI: According to a Times of India report, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which has predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places over Goa in the coming days, has advised farmers to avoid  sowing seeds, transplanting vegetables or spraying chemicals for a couple of days, till the weather system either passes away or dissipates. Poultry farmers are advised to keep livestock protected from rain, with adequate food supplies.

To prevent shortage of food, livestock and poultry farmers have been advised to keep their animals safe and indoors, with minimal exposure to heavy rains and additional stocks of food and fodder.

“Because of a possible formation of a trough near the latitudes of Goa, rainfall activity is likely to increase in the coming days, the Met has said.

Heavy rainfall exceeding 64.5mm to 115.5mm (very heavy rains) of rainfall in 24 hours is very likely at one or two places over Goa on Saturday November 20 including Sunday,” the IMD warned.

The rains are likely to be accompanied by heavy lightning/thunder and citizens are advised to take proper precautions to avoid being hit by lightning.

Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and rains are very likely to continue over Goa up to next week possibly Tuesday November 22.

Short intense rain spells and winds of speed around 40kmph are likely over both North and South districts of Goa. Light to moderate rain and thunderstorm activity with a much lesser spatial distribution is likely to continue over Goa for an additional three days up to around November 25, the forecast stated.

“The clouding and rainfall activity may affect sowing or agriculture land preparation during this period,” the IMD advisory read.

The weatherman has advised farmers to avoid nursery sowing and sowing of cowpea on November 20.

“In already sown fields they can provide proper drainage to remove excess water. Also, avoid transplanting of vegetable seedlings and clean the drainage channels to avoid water logging/flooding of fields,” the department said.

For animals, farmers were advised to store sufficient fodder and feed, provide clean drinking water, provide curtains at both sides of poultry houses or add overhang of four to five feet to avoid direct entry of rains into sheds and conduct frequent checking of litter material to keep the sheds clean.

Citizens have been asked to avoid open areas, fields, taking shelter under tall trees or structures during thunderstorms and lightning activity.

(with inputs from Times of India)