The widespread rainfall in different parts of Gujarat over the past few days has brought down the state’s rain deficit to 41% from 50% last week, while the rain deficit in Ahmedabad and several other districts is still well over 50%.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Gujarat has received 35.3 cm rainfall from June 1 to September 4, compared with normal rainfall of 60.2 cm, amounting to a deficit of 41%.
Only two out of the state’s 33 districts have received normal rainfall, which refers to 19% more or less than normal. Valsad has received 19% lower than the normal rainfall as of September 4, while Devbhoomi Dwarka has received seven percent lower rains.
The rain deficit is widespread across the state’s regions, but districts in the northern and eastern parts have maximum rain deficiency. The rainfall is usually scanty in the state’s northern districts, but the situation is even direr this year with the minimum rainfall deficiency in the region at 37%.
State capital Gandhinagar has received 63% lower rainfall so far, the highest deficit in the state, followed by adjoining Aravalli district with a 62% deficit.
Ahmedabad, the state’s most populous district, has received 26.6 cm compared to normal rainfall of 59 cm for a deficit of 55%.
Mahisagar, Dahod, and Surendranagar with 56% deficient rainfall, Vadodara (55%), Panchmahal (54%), Banaskantha (53%), Sabarkantha and Tapi (52%), and Mehsana (49%) are some of the other districts with the highest rain deficiency, IMD data shows.
Saurashtra, another water-parched region, and Kutch, which is largely a desert area, have 37% rain deficit.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at some districts in the next three days, but a Gujarat government official said the state is likely to end the monsoon with a high rain deficit.
“The situation is worrying as far as agriculture is concerned, and we are keeping our fingers crossed,” he said.