Gujarat: Delayed rains cause 48% deficit

AHMEDABAD: As half of August month, one of the most rainfall-giving months for the state, is over, the state is still to get the season’s fill – according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. The overall state is deficient by 48% if one compares the figures with the normal rainfall till August 15. In absolute terms, the state has so far received only 31% of its average annual rainfall of 831mm.
Saurashtra and Kutch are hit hard with only 50% of the average rainfall till August 15. The month generally gives two to three good spells that last for three to four days, but this year so far August has not yielded any good rainfall. The experts said that they are not hoping for heavy rainfall for next few days.
Manorama Mohanty, head of the IMD Gujarat, told TOI that in next five days, the forecast points at good rainfall for some of the southern states. “In other parts, the rainfall could be scant. Lack of a good system is cause of the scant rains,” she said.

IMD officials said that Gujarat generally has a good rainfall till September 15. The rainfall after that is often scant. However, the state has even recorded rainfall till mid-October in some years, they added. But effectively the next 15-20 days would decide how the year would be for the state – both in terms of water availability for drinking and irrigation. In extreme cases, the farms may not get the adequate water, pointed experts.