Gujarat facing "deficient monsoon" with just 37% rainfall

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat which cultivates major crops like Cotton, Groundnut and Paddy is facing a "deficient monsoon" this year. Though the second phase of the monsoon has commenced, the state has so far received just 37% percent of its annual quota of rains, government sources said.

The second phase of monsoon which stretches between the months of August and September has commenced and as per the data on the website of Indian meteorological department (IMD), the state is seeing "deficient" rainfall in 16 of its 26 districts. Most of these areas fall in the Northern, Central and Southern parts of the state.

Both Kheda and Dahod districts that cultivates crops like paddy, bajra and maize is facing a shortage that is as high as 65%.
As per the data released by the state government, Saurashtra region, encompassing seven districts, received 55% of the annual quota of rainfall. This is the only part of the state that has received normal rainfall. In comparison, areas in Kutch (21%), North Gujarat (27%), East-Central Gujarat (25%) and South Gujarat (37%) have witnessed deficient rainfall.

On Friday, only four districts of the state received few millimeters of rainfall.