District lags behind in rainfall average

VADODARA, Aug 8: With the exception of a couple of talukas, the Vadodara district has so far received less than one-third its average rainfall. However, agriculturalists Manubhai Sandhli of Tarwa village, Shinor taluka, and Madhya Gujarat Sahakari Cotton Marketing Union office-bearer K R Shah say the inadequate rainfall has not damaged the crops so far. 8220;But paddy and sugarcane farmers need rains immediately8221;, they said.

Vadodara district averages 900 mm of rain during the monsoons. It has the next two months to make up for the shortfall. Heavy rains have been forecast for Central Gujarat, including Vadodara, in the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, according to district flood control room officials, only Sankheda, Savli, Waghodia, Dabhoi and Karjan talukas all of which had recorded around 500 mm rainfall till July-end last year had received 400 mm or less rainfall this year. Jetpurpavi, Padra, Shinor, Vadodara, Chhotaudepur, Naswadi and Kwant are lagging far behind their last year8217;s figures.