Gujarat receives 30% less rains in July
Farm sector not to be impacted, says India meteorological department.
While after a bumpy start the monsoon season seems to have set in in Gujarat, for the month of July the state has witnessed 30 per cent deficiency in rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated.
As against a normal rainfall of 306 mm for July 2011, Gujarat has received rainfall of only 206 mm, resulting in a departure of 100 mm, said Kamaljit Ray, director, India Meteorological Department (IMD) - Ahmedabad.
"As a whole, the state of Gujarat has seen a 30 per cent departure from the normal rainfall. While some parts of the state has received good rainfall, overall it has been short by 100 mm. However, since the rains have been timely, less rainfall is not a cause of worry," said Ray.
Last year, in the month of July 2010 the state of Gujarat had seen an actual rainfall of 335.8 mm as against a normal of 306 mm, resulting in an excess of about 30 mm.
However, according to Ray, less amount of rainfall is not likely to impact the farm sector in the state. "Agriculture will not be impacted much because the rains have been timely. This has resulted in timely sowing. In fact, last 2-3 days has also seen timely rains," she said.
Meanwhile, as per IMD forecasts, the next few days are not likely to see any significant rainfall in Gujarat.
"The month of July may not get anything significant. However, August receives around 30 per cent of monsoon. Hence, we hope to see the month of August covering up the deficiency in rainfall," Ray added.
Earlier, Gujarat had received scattered rains in the first week of July. According to the Met department, the system bringing monsoon rains in the state had shifted to Rajasthan and North-West Madhya Pradesh due to an upper air circulation, thereby delaying the advent of monsoon in Gujarat. However, situation improved in the later weeks.
The monsoon had been delayed in most parts of the state by close to 20 days from the Met department's initial forecast of June 15, 2011. Concerns had risen due to delayed monsoon affecting the agriculture sector. "However, now that the rains have been timely, concerns over impact on agriculture is not there. There may be some issue with drinking water requirements though," added Ray.