Monsoon deficit impacts sowing, depletes water level in Gujarat

State government planning to increase supply from Narmada

While surrounding states have seen normal or above normal rains, Gujarat is still reeling under a monsoon deficit of about 47 per cent, thereby impacting water level in the state.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) Ahmedabad centre data, as against normal rainfall of 289.8 millimetres (mm), the state has received only 156 mm rains during the 2016.

IMD data shows that highest deficit of 71 per cent has been noted in Kutch. The region has received 47 mm rains during ongoing monsoon against normal fall of 160 mm. Districts like Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka and Banaskantha are facing more than 60 per cent monsoon deficit as on 23 July.

The monsoon deficit has had an impact on water levels in the state where out of 203 dams; only Narmada dam has a healthy 88 per cent water level while rest 202 dams have just 31 per cent water storage as on July 22 this year. Situation is more critical in Saurashtra and Kutch as these regions have less than 10 per cent water for drinking purpose.

Available water level in these 202 dams is 4877 million cubic meters (mcm) as on July 22. North Gujarat have 15 dams and current water level is 427 mcm or 22 per cent of designed gross storage of 1,922 mcm. In 17 dams of central Gujarat water level stands at 872 mcm water level, about 37 per cent of designed gross storage of 2,351 mcm. Similarly water level in South Gujarat is just 3,305 mcm that is 38 per cent of designed gross storage of 8,931 mcm in 13 dams.

According to the department's data, situation is more critical in Saurashtra which have 137 dams with designed gross storage capacity of 2,529 mcm but current water level is just 243 mcm or just 10 per cent.

Given the water woes in Gujarat, the state government is planning a review meeting to address the same next week. Municipal corporations and municipalities of Saurashtra and Kutch regions are also going to meet officials to discuss water shortage problems.

To tackle this situation, Gujarat government is increasing water supply as currently Sardar Sarovar dam alone has healthy water level, thanks to good rains in Madhya Pradesh this month.

"As of now we are planning to increase supply from Narmada for drinking water purpose in scanty areas. Free fodder supply will continue in many places. Further action plan will be prepared after the meeting," said an government official of water supply department.

So far Gujarat has not received very heavy rainfall during the monsoon season as compared to the other parts of the country.

According to Skymet Weather the state may see a good spell of rains from July 23 to 26. Many parts of Saurashtra and Gujarat region will receive moderate Monsoon rains. But, Kutch will continue to receive light rain.

Meanwhile, kharif sowing activity has increased in the state as rains so far are sufficient for the agriculture. According to state agriculture department data, as on July 18, 2016 sowing took place on 4.60 million hectares of area as against 5.05 million hectares in corresponding period of 2015. Now, year-on-year gap of kharif sowing progress has reduced to 10 per cent which was almost 60 per cent in June. Area of cotton has covered 1.76 million hectares which was 2.34 million hectares last year at this time.