Gujarat suffers rainfall deficit, Kutch may face scarcity

Gujarat faces a rainfall deficit due to late onset of monsoon and shortfall of rains in many parts of the state until mid-August, which may ensure that water reservoirs are empty before next summer said.

Gandhinagar: Gujarat faces a rainfall deficit due to late onset of monsoon and shortfall of rains in many parts of the state until mid-August, which may ensure that water reservoirs are empty before next summer said.

As per Gujarat state government figures, the state recorded 57.50 per cent average rain until August 22, while dams in the state are left with a total 13755.90 million cubic metre (MCM) (65.46 per cent) water in addition to Sardar Sarovar Project which has 5131.78 MCM (97.45 per cent) water.

According to figures of Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), Kutch region in the state has been facing a tough situation with just 167 mm (43.15 per cent) annual average rainfall.
As per figures of the state government`s Narmada Water Resources Water Supply and Kalpsar Department, Kutch has 31.98 million cubic metre (MCM) or 9.56 per cent of water left in various reservoirs of the region.

Godhatad Dam in Kutch region has no water available in it, while Mitti Dam will provide water only until December this year, as per GSDMA figures.

North Gujarat region has also been facing a similar situation, with 316.39 million cubic metres or 46.87 per cent of annual average rainfall till August 22, the official data said.

North Gujarat has a 498.18 MCM gross water storage (25.92 per cent) against its total capacity.

Mukteswar Dam in Mehsana district of North Gujarat will be able to provide water until February 24, 2015. While Guhai, Majham, Meswo and Hathmati reservoirs of Himmatnagar district would provide water supply until June 2015.

Despite receiving 65.33 per cent rainfall until mid-August this year, Saurashtra region may also face a critical situation, as most of the reservoirs here will be empty by the end of this year.
Reservoirs in Saurashtra region presently hold just 734.17 MCM (29.23 per cent) water as against its total capacity.

As per state government figures, Aaji-1, Macchhu-2, Und-1, Sasoi and Panna reservoirs of Saurashtra would have no water left by end of this year, whereas Moj, Fofal, Macchu-1, Limbdi Bhogavo and Ghee reservoirs in the region would be empty before next year`s summer sets in.

South and Central parts of Gujarat is better off, with 55.75 per cent and 54.76 per cent annual average rainfall, respectively, as per state government figures.
Central Gujarat faces a water storage of 1641.96 MCM (69.83) while the southern part of the state has 5718.06 MCM (66.25 per cent) of water left in storage.

The Gujarat government hopes to survive on Narmada water if the state receives less rainfall by the end of monsoon.

"We have many other dams through which we can provide water to places which have received less than normal rainfall. There is Narmada project on which the state can depend. We will easily make water available to scarcity-hit regions," Gujarat Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Babu Bokhiria told PTI.

"We will ensure that nobody in the state faces drinking water problem even if there is very less rainfall," he said.

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