Amid retreating monsoon, rains revive hopes

RAJKOT: Just when it seemed that monsoon was retreating, the rain God has smiled on Saurashtra with most districts in the region getting significant showers in the last three days.
The wet spell was crucial for farmers who were pinning their hopes on rains to salvage their crops. According to sources, moderate to heavy rains were reported in many parts of Saurashtra since Saturday morning and continued till Sunday evening.In Rajkot district, Upleta was pounded by 120mm rainfall, followed by Jetpur (56mm), Jamkandorna (55mm), Kotda-Sangani (40mm) and Gondal 25mm, on Sunday.
The wet spell continued across Junagadh district too with Visavadar getting the highest rainfall, at 76mm, followed by Mendarda (63mm), Maliya-Hatina (56mm), Manavadar (50mm), Mangrol (42mm) and Bhesan 44mm. Several areas in Bhavnagar city were waterlogged following 68mm rainfall on Sunday. Most parts of Amreli too received good rainfall ranging from 45mm to 66mm, according to the district flood control sources.
Farmers were awaiting rainfall desperately as rain deficiency continued this monsoon amid reports of monsoon retreat. In fact, the state government had decided to provide 10 hour power supply in agriculture to help pump out ground water to save farmers' crop. According to the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), Saurashtra region has received 74% of its average annual rainfall till September 18. The state agriculture department officials said that groundnut has been sown in 13.5 lakh hectare while cotton has been sown in 17.39 lakh hectare area in Saurashtra.
However, the rain deficiency will continue to affect Saurashtra as water level in most dams of the region is still very less. "There is only 34.42% water available in dams of Saurashtra and the situation will be critical in the coming months, especially summer, as most parts of the region are dependent on Narmada water for their drinking water requirements," officials said.