Gujarat got 26% less rain than usual this monsoon

AHMEDABAD: While citizens and the state heaved a sign of relief, the moderate showers of Saturday and Sunday, were a saving grace for the state, which has so far this season received just 484mm of rainfall, against the long-term average of 658mm, according to figures from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) figures, a 26% deficit.
IMD officials said this year has seen the least average rainfall since 2012, when the monsoon was below par for most of India.For the Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch sub-divisions that the IMD uses, the figures were 311mm and 647mm in 2012. So far, these sub-divisions have received 316mm and 695mm this year.
As the effects of Cyclone Daye dissipated over the state on Monday, met department officials don’t see a major system bringing rain to the state in the near future.
On Monday, only Bechraji in Mehsana received a significant amount of rainfall (54 mm), according to figures from the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA).
“The withdrawal of the monsoon has begun and it is likely that the state may get enough rain to cover the deficit. This year, the pattern of rain has also been skewed. Districts in south Gujarat and southern parts of Saurashtra have had the most rainfall. The driest parts of the state are the northern districts, central Gujarat and Kutch,” said an IMD official.
The rain distribution has affected crops and will also affect water management, senior administrators believe. The silver lining is the good rainfall in central India, due to which the water level in the Sardar Sarovar Dam is higher, they added.