Monsoon progress has been the slowest and most staggered this year. The month of June has been the driest in India in a decade. The image in the article shows, the NLM (Northern Limit of Monsoon) is yet to cross south Gujarat. Southwest Monsoon hit south Gujarat on 16th June and since then it hasn’t progressed at all. Currently the monsoon line is seen passing through Veraval and Surat in Gujarat. Last year, the progress of Monsoon had been quite speedy as by 29th June it had covered entire Gujarat.
There has been no rain in most parts of Gujarat for the entire month, creating a drought like situation in the state. The last time some good showers were seen was when Monsoon entered south Gujarat. Veraval and Porbandar had recorded over 60 mm of rain on the 16th and 17th of June respectively. Ahmedabad, the heart of Gujarat has observed only 1 mm of rain since mid-May. No wonder, the rain deficit in the state has been the highest in the country of about 86%. Suarashtra and Kutch regions are just a shade better with a rain deficit of 63%.
With the maximum temperature hovering around 41⁰C, people are experiencing hot an humid days. The only good thing is that there is no heat wave as the winds are south-westerly from the Arabian Sea. Gujarat has so far received 24.42 mm of rain, only 3.06% of the annual 797 mm rain. North, Central and South Gujarat should have received 46.8 mm of rain so far but has only received 10.3 mm rain till 23rd June. Similarly, Saurashtra & Kutch should have received 26 mm of rain, whereas it has received 21.9 mm of rain.
“This is because almost all the systems that give rain to the state are missing. Currently there is no system over Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal that promises rain in the next few days. Moreover, the offshore trough which generally remains active between Gujarat and Kerala coasts and gives some rain in Saurashtra too is not there. And this situation is not only prevalent over Gujarat but in most parts of India as well”, explains senior meteorologist Mahesh Palawat.
“After a dry Monsoon period in June, there is some hope of rain in Gujarat in July. The first three days of July could witness some light and isolated rain. Strong southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea could bring rain to Saurashtra and Kutch region and possibly in pockets of Mumbai.
Amid delayed Monsoon and reports of increasing shortage of water in several parts of Gujarat, the state Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) has launched a toll-free helpline for people living in five districts. These districts are Kutch, Amreli, Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Devbhoomi-Dwarka.