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Gandhinagar, July 23 (IANS) The southwest monsoon made an early entry into Gujarat this year, a week ahead of schedule. However, rainfall distribution across the state has been highly uneven over the past month and a half.

In the last 24 hours alone, 90 talukas recorded rainfall, with the highest recorded in Jalalpore (Navsari district) at 5.24 inches. Navsari city witnessed 4.25 inches of rain, while Mahuva in Surat and Gandevi in Navsari received 2.20 and 2.13 inches, respectively. In total, 11 talukas saw more than 1 inch of rainfall, while 79 talukas received under 1 inch.

As of now, Gujarat has recorded 54 per cent of its seasonal average rainfall, approximately 19 inches. Yet, regional disparities persist.

Kutch has fared slightly better with 64 per cent of the average, while central and eastern parts of Gujarat have received only 51 per cent. Saurashtra’s 11 districts have together received 16 inches, accounting for 53.48 per cent of the expected rainfall.

Bhavnagar has received 80 per cent of its seasonal quota, whereas Patan has seen only 34 per cent, highlighting the significant variation in rainfall across districts. While some areas are reporting satisfactory rain, several parts of the state continue to wait for a more consistent downpour.

This year, the monsoon entered Gujarat on June 17.

From 2020 through 2023, Gujarat experienced significant variability in monsoon rainfall. In 2020, the state received 1,091.7 mm, marking a 58 per cent surplus over the normal level, with Kutch and Saurashtra regions facing particularly heavy rain and Devbhumi Dwarka recording an unprecedented 2132 mm (325 per cent above normal) In 2021, parts of Saurashtra were hit by severe flooding in September, claiming at least six lives and causing widespread infrastructure damage, highlighting the damaging consequences of concentrated rainfall.

The following years, including 2022, saw average to slightly below-average rainfall, though detailed numbers are not fully public. By 2023, trends shifted noticeably: 12 of Gujarat’s 33 districts posted over a 50 per cent increase in seasonal rainfall compared to the 2014–2023 average, with Devbhumi Dwarka doubling rainfall (up 135 per cent) and other regions like Porbandar, Vadodara, Bharuch and Tapi also seeing large gains; only Sabarkantha saw a slight decline (5 per cent).

These shifting patterns underscore Gujarat’s trend toward more intense, uneven monsoon seasons, dramatic excesses in some districts balanced by deficits in others, posing both flood risks and agricultural challenges across the state.

–IANS

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New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Outreach Session of the G7 advanced countries on Tuesday in the backdrop of India having become the fastest-growing economy in the world, and the only country to clock above 6 per cent GDP growth.

According to IMF data, India has taken the lead in economic growth with a 6.2 per cent GDP growth projected for 2025, well ahead of the other G7 countries with the US expected to post a 1.8 per cent growth rate, followed by Canada with 1.4 per cent, and the UK at 1.1 per cent, Japan and France come next with both countries seen clocking a 0.6 per cent GDP growth. Italy is in the 6th spot among the G7 countries with a 0.4 per cent GDP growth, and Germany trails with its economic growth expected at zero amid the global slowdown.

India’s industrial growth rate at 5.9 per cent for 2024 is also well ahead of the other G7 countries as Canada has posted a 1.2 per cent increase in industrial production, followed by the US with 0.9 per cent, the UK (0.7 per cent), France (0.5 per cent), Italy (0.3 per cent), Japan (0.2 per cent) and Germany with a (-) 0.1 per cent contraction in industrial production.

Similarly, India outpaces the G7 countries in the services sector with the purchasing managers index at 60.1, compared with Italy, which has the highest PMI number among the G7 at 54.1.

France comes next with 53.1, followed by the UK with 52.9, Germany (52.9), the US (51.4), Canada (51.1), and France trails with the services PMI index at 50.1. The number 50 is the critical mark on the PMI index that differentiates expansion from contraction.

While India is not a permanent member of the G7 bloc, the country has been invited to attend the summit several times over the years, with its growing economic and geopolitical importance.

Prime Minister Modi reached Canada on Tuesday after completing his visit to Cyprus and will also hold bilateral meetings with G7 leaders, including with host Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He will depart for a visit to Croatia on Tuesday evening.

–IANS

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