Recent rains decrease deficit, boost kharif sowing in Gujarat

The state still has 44% monsoon deficit, IMD forecast moderate to heavy rains in the state in coming weeks

Despite heavy rainfall in several parts of the state, monsoon deficit in Gujarat still stands at 44 per cent, down from 54 per cent of last week. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy rains in the coming weeks.

As per IMD data, Gujarat has received 119.4 mm rains as on July 14 during entire monsoon season of 2016 as against normal rainfall of 212.9 mm. The south-western monsoon has now spread across Gujarat in the last couple of days. IMD also forecast medium to heavy rains in coming days of this month.

The meteorological centre Ahmedabad in a press release said, "The southwest monsoon has further advanced in Gujarat. Heavy rains possible at isolated places over North Gujarat region and Saurashtra-Kutch. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers very likely at a few places in the districts of Gujarat region and in Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli."

The ongoing monsoon showers have geared up sowing activity in the state. Kharif sowing, which was just 554,800 hectares as on June 30, has reached to 3.20 million hectares on July 11 in this year. However, compared to last year sowing is still lagging behind by almost 33 per cent as sowing was done on 4.84 million hectares in corresponding period of 2015.

Plantation of two major kharif crops of Gujarat groundnut and cotton have still not even reached to last year's mark. Groundnut has been sown on 1.01 million hectares so far as against 1.21 million hectares. Similarly, cotton has covered 1.36 million hectares in current kharif season while it was reached to 2.31 million hectares in last year at this time.

The recent rains have also brought some fresh water to the dams and rivers in Gujarat. Most of the dams are yet not have sufficient storage for drinking water.

Water supply department data shows that as on July 14, live water storage in 204 dams including Narmada is about 8,347.59 million cubic meters (MCM) that is about 40 per cent of design gross storage capacity of 21,040.08 MCM.

Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh has increased the water level in Narmada dam and according to Gujarat government if rains continue in MP the Narmada dam likely to be overflow in next 8 to 10 days. Currently, water level in the dam is 4,296.67 MCM and it is filled almost 82 per cent.