Gujarat: State receives 78% of season's rainfall by July 31

Till the end of July, Gujarat received 78% of its annual seasonal rainfall, highest since the 81% recorded in 2017.

In June this year, the state received 27%, whereas for July the number was 51% or half of the annual seasonal rainfall.

Data from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) shows that out of 33 districts, seven have received over 100% of the seasonal rainfall while only two  Dahod and Narmada have recorded less than 50%.

This favourable rainfall for Gujarat in June and July has been attributed to several favourable systems including an active Bay of Bengal, but an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast suggests normal to below normal rainfall during August and September due to the impact of El Nino. 

IMD has indicated weak El Nino conditions prevailing over equatorial Pacific region which could further intensify and continue up to early next year. 

Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which means warmer sea surface temperatures, is likely to prevail for the rest of the monsoon season.

For August, the forecast mentioned highest rain deficits in parts of Kutch and Saurashtra along with a few districts of north and south Gujarat.