Data: Rain intensifies towards August-end, rise in Sept share

The average monsoon rainfall recorded were at 103 per cent, 120 per cent and 101 per cent towards August-end in 2017, 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Further, the rainfall receipt in September has been on a rise in the past five years — the highest of more than 50 per cent of the total monsoon average recorded in 2021. Notably, Gujarat saw less than 100 per cent — 98 per cent — average rainfall in 2021.

The September trend is expected to continue this year, too, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast has predicted above normal rainfall for the month.

According to the SEOC data, there is a significant spike in the rainfall receipt (see table) between August 31 and September 30 over the past 10 years.

“So far this year, the major share of rainfall that Gujarat received was due to the recent depression that turned into a cyclonic storm Asna. As predicted, Gujarat will have more than normal rainfall for September month, too,” IMD Ahmedabad region’s director incharge Ramashray Yadav told The Indian Express.

As on September 2, Gujarat has received 111 per cent of the season’s average rainfall.

Among regions, Kutch has recorded the highest of 179 per cent, followed by Saurashtra at 125 per cent, South Gujarat at 112 per cent, and East Central region at 106 per cent.

Barring North Gujarat, which has recorded only 88 per cent average rainfall this season, all other regions in the state have crossed the 100-per cent mark, said the data.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre data, among districts, Devbhoomi Dwarka in Saurashtra has recorded the highest of 252 per cent followed by Porbandar (180 per cent), Kutch (179 per cent), Jamnagar (159 per cent), Junagadh (152 per cent), Morbi (144 per cent), Rajkot and Anand (129 per cent), and Bharuch and Navsari (123 per cent).

According to the data, the other districts in the state with more than 100 per rent rainfall receipt include Narmada, Tapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Kheda, Mahisagar, Panchmahal and Mehsana.