17 talukas at the risk of being declared scarcity-hit in Gujarat

Officially, the monsoon may withdraw in a week's time leaving 17 talukas of the state high and dry. Gujarat has received a mere 75.92% of its annual average of the last 30 years (1988 to 2017). The India Meteorological Department had earlier mentioned that the south-west monsoon will start withdrawing by this week.

According to the Met, the possibility of rainfall in the next week is bleak. "Rains are less likely after Sunday. Some of the bordering areas to Madhya Pradesh are likely to receive rains due to a deep depression," said Jayanta Sarkar, director of IMD, Ahmedabad.

The state government had declared the Kutch district as scarcity-hit on last Thursday due to insufficient rainfall. Talukas that receive less than 125 mm of rainfall by October 1, 2018, will be declared scarcity-hit.

Of the ten talukas that received the least rainfall, six under the Kutch district have not received even 25% of its annual average rainfall, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre data.

The Kutch district has received only 26.51% of annual average rainfall with the Lakhpat and Rapar talukas in the district receiving only 3.44% and 5.65% rain. Abdasa has received 13.61% rainfall, Nakhtrana 17.22%, Bhuj 22.08% and Bhachau 23.36%.

North Gujarat, too, has faced rain deficit this monsoon, followed by the Kutch region. Wav has received just 5.5% of average rainfall, Suigam 10,62%, Jotana 18.18%, Chansma 19.60%, Lakhani 20.68%, Dhanera 20.80%, Kankrej 21.44% and Patan 23.13%.

The Ahmedabad district has received 40.81% percentage of rainfall so far with the Mandal takula receiving 19.10% rainfall, the least in the district.

In Devbhumi Dwarka, Kalyanpur taluka has received 21.44% rainfall and Dhrol of Jamnagar district has received only 24.60% rainfall.

Other than Ahmedabad, six districts are rain deficit with not even 50% of annual rainfall this season. Patan was showered with a mere 30.63% rainfall, Banaskantha 33.06%, Mehsana 34.83%, Surendranagar 42.02%, Morbi 43.63%, Gandhinagar 45.17% and Devbhumi Dwarka 46.03%.

On the other hand, the monsoon did bring some respite to regions like Gir Somnath with 140.96% rainfall, Navsari 110%, Anand 104.73%, Bharuch 102.87%, Valsad 101%. These districts received more than their annual average of rainfall.