Rain coming: Monsoon winds begin hitting Gujarat, state faces 84% rain deficit
While several parts of eastern and northeastern India have already received rainfall, western regions such as Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra have been waiting for widespread monsoon showers. That wait is almost over.
The wait has been long, but conditions are now developing to soon bring monsoon showers to Gujarat.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that conditions are becoming favourable for the monsoon to advance into parts of the state, ending an unusually dry start to the rainy season.
The development comes at a crucial time as Gujarat faces an 84% rainfall deficit, as of latest IMD data on June 22.
The alarming lack of rain has made the state one of the driest states in the country so far this June.
The prolonged delay in monsoon rains has also raised concerns over water availability, agriculture and soaring temperatures across several districts.
MONSOON'S SLOW ARRIVAL
The southwest monsoon, which normally arrives over Kerala in early June before advancing northward, has had a sluggish and uneven progression this year.
While several parts of eastern and northeastern India have already received substantial rainfall, western regions such as Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra have been waiting for widespread monsoon showers.
According to IMD, atmospheric conditions are now becoming more favourable for the monsoon's further advance into Gujarat and adjoining areas.
Upper-level easterly winds associated with the monsoon have advanced into South Gujarat and other areas, while a fresh batch of moisture is expected to bring scattered to widespread rainfall in the coming days, potentially increasing activity from June 22-26.
The expected progress could bring the first significant spell of rain to many parts of the state after weeks of dry weather.
The delayed arrival has coincided with persistent heat and below-normal rainfall across much of western India, contributing to the sharp rainfall shortfall.
A WEAK MONSOON SO FAR
Gujarat's rainfall deficit has become a worrying issue, showing how the region that depends on water for a number of things has received less rain than what is considered normal for a particular period.
According to the IMD's data on June 22, the state is reeling from an 84% deficit, indicating that Gujarat has received only a fraction of its usual June rainfall.
This is particularly important because the June-September southwest monsoon supplies nearly 75% of India's annual rainfall and supports agriculture, drinking water supplies, reservoirs and groundwater recharge.
A delayed start can affect sowing of key kharif crops such as cotton, groundnut and pulses, which are widely cultivated across Gujarat.
Meteorologists fortunately are now forecasting that conditions are becoming favourable for further advancement and rains over Gujarat, Konkan, and nearby regions.
With rains around the corner, deficits accumulated in June can soon be narrowed if widespread rains arrive and sustain themselves for a suitably long period.
For now, however, all eyes remain on the advancing monsoon winds. People across Gujarat will be hoping that the expected rains arrive soon and help ease one of the state's sharpest early-season rainfall shortages in recent years.
The wait has been long, but conditions are now developing to soon bring monsoon showers to Gujarat.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that conditions are becoming favourable for the monsoon to advance into parts of the state, ending an unusually dry start to the rainy season.
The development comes at a crucial time as Gujarat faces an 84% rainfall deficit, as of latest IMD data on June 22.
The alarming lack of rain has made the state one of the driest states in the country so far this June.
The prolonged delay in monsoon rains has also raised concerns over water availability, agriculture and soaring temperatures across several districts.
MONSOON'S SLOW ARRIVAL
The southwest monsoon, which normally arrives over Kerala in early June before advancing northward, has had a sluggish and uneven progression this year.
While several parts of eastern and northeastern India have already received substantial rainfall, western regions such as Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra have been waiting for widespread monsoon showers.
According to IMD, atmospheric conditions are now becoming more favourable for the monsoon's further advance into Gujarat and adjoining areas.
Upper-level easterly winds associated with the monsoon have advanced into South Gujarat and other areas, while a fresh batch of moisture is expected to bring scattered to widespread rainfall in the coming days, potentially increasing activity from June 22-26.
The expected progress could bring the first significant spell of rain to many parts of the state after weeks of dry weather.
The delayed arrival has coincided with persistent heat and below-normal rainfall across much of western India, contributing to the sharp rainfall shortfall.
A WEAK MONSOON SO FAR
Gujarat's rainfall deficit has become a worrying issue, showing how the region that depends on water for a number of things has received less rain than what is considered normal for a particular period.
According to the IMD's data on June 22, the state is reeling from an 84% deficit, indicating that Gujarat has received only a fraction of its usual June rainfall.
This is particularly important because the June-September southwest monsoon supplies nearly 75% of India's annual rainfall and supports agriculture, drinking water supplies, reservoirs and groundwater recharge.
A delayed start can affect sowing of key kharif crops such as cotton, groundnut and pulses, which are widely cultivated across Gujarat.
Meteorologists fortunately are now forecasting that conditions are becoming favourable for further advancement and rains over Gujarat, Konkan, and nearby regions.
With rains around the corner, deficits accumulated in June can soon be narrowed if widespread rains arrive and sustain themselves for a suitably long period.
For now, however, all eyes remain on the advancing monsoon winds. People across Gujarat will be hoping that the expected rains arrive soon and help ease one of the state's sharpest early-season rainfall shortages in recent years.
