Though Gujarat had received only 9.4% of its average rainfall of 850 mm, that is 80 m by June 30; this record saw a substantial change 11 days into July, where it went as far as to get 42.7% of the annual rainfall, a solid 363 mm. Records say that the state received 20% of its seasonal rainfall in the period of July 8 to July 11.
The highest rainfall recorded was 332 mm in 2013, but with the rains puring heavily in July, the figure has been changed to 363 mm, making it the highest rainfall received in the past 10 years.
The average rain till July 12, has been 202 mm, for the past 5 years. This year’s rainfall is already 80% more than that.
Though the rainfall has been good, it has been skewed with South Gujarat and Saurashtra attaining more rainfall than the Northern parts. Kutch has already achieved three-fourths of its expected rainfall, whereas South Gujarat has already received half of its seasonal rainfall, just few days into July. Narmada had received 80% of its annual rainfall.
There are other districts as well who have already achieved half of their annual average. They are Devbhoomi Dwarka (67%), Chhota Udepur (59%), Porbandar (58%), Valsad (57%), Surat (52%), Navsari (52%), and Junagadh (51%).
Head of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Gujarat, Manorama Mohanty remarked that usually the monsoon system is triggered by the Bay of Bengal but this year, they are seeing favorable conditions from both, the Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal, leading to more rainfall than before, She also said that if one considers average rainfall to July 12, one can say that Saurashtra and Kutch has 94% excess rain, and the rest of Gujarat has 44% excess.
Lastly she said that high to very high levels of rain are expected in South Gujarat and Saurashtra in the next 2-3 days, after which a reduction will be seen from July 16.
