Goa: Rains, possible cyclone could mar peak Dec tourism season

PANAJI: The possibility of rains in mid-December during the 10th and 16th of this month in the coastal state, as well as windy weather accompanied by strong winds – with a probability of a cyclone, could play spoilsport during the peak tourism season and the Christmas and New Year festivities in Goa.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), on Monday said a low-pressure area has formed over the south Andaman Sea. The low pressure area has formed under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining equatorial Indian ocean Strait of Malacca, which will move Northwest-ward in the next couple of days.

The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to mid-tropospheric levels and could develop into a cyclonic storm if favourable conditions are met.

The IMD, in its forecast said the low pressure area could move west-northwest and form a depression over the south east Bay of Bengal by December 6 or 7, depending on favourable conditions.

“Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move west-northwest wards and intensify further gradually into a cyclonic storm and reach southwest Bay of Bengal near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by December 8 morning,” the IMD stated.

This will bring rains and windy weather to parts of South India and could even affect Goa, bringing isolated light to moderate rains in parts of Goa during the peak tourism season.