82% deficit: Gujarat’s June rain shortfall is highest in India

Ahmedabad: With 82% deficit, Gujarat topped all states in rain shortfall for June. Against a normal rainfall of 110.8mm till June 30, the state has so far received only 20.5mm, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).Gujarat’s deficit is higher than that of Meghalaya (74%), Manipur (71%), and Chhattisgarh (65%). These states recorded more than 60% rain deficit, which is termed ‘large deficient’.For Ahmedabad, 98.2mm is normal rainfall, but the district has so far recorded 22.8mm, logging a 77% deficit. Ahmedabad city has so far received 11mm average rainfall, just 1.3% of the annual average.According to several meteorology experts, this June has been the driest in recent years for both the city and state. Eight districts of the state have over 90% deficit. In 2022, the city had recorded 33mm of rainfall till June 30 and the figure for Gujarat was 64.2mm. TheThe northern limit of the monsoon passes through Surat on June 30, as normally by the end of June, the entire state is covered, said IMD officials.The absence of rain has resulted in one of the hottest June months for the city, with 27 of the 30 days recording maximum temperatures above 40 degrees.For the past few days, the city experienced cloudy weather with light drizzle, but that has resulted in hot and humid days.On Tuesday, the maximum temperature was 40.1 degrees celsius, 4.1 degrees above normal. At 29.4 degrees, the minimum was 2.6 degrees above normal.

On June 30, 64 talukas received 1mm or more of rainfall, with 20 of them receiving 28mm or more. Navsari recorded 94mm till 8pm. A majority of these talukas are in south Gujarat and coastal Saurashtra, according to IMD.The IMD forecast for Wednesday indicated a chance of heavy rain in parts of south and east Gujarat, including Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari, and Valsad.Moderate rainfall is likely in several parts of south and central Gujarat. From Thursday, chances are high of heavy to very heavy rain in south Gujarat districts; the forecast says the conditions will prevail till July 6.The monsoon is likely to advance across parts of the state in the next few days, IMD officials said.