Unseasonal Rainfall Damages Wheat, Cumin, Cotton & Groundnut Crops in Gujarat

People in Ahmedabad witnessed a sudden change in weather yesterday (21st January) as, cold winds and a cloudy atmosphere prevailed in the city. Some parts of Gujarat that included western Saurashtra as well as Kutch experienced light to moderate rainfall. This unseasonal rain has damaged the wheat, cumin, cotton and groundnut crops. At several places, the downpour lasted for more than half an hour.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, there will be no change in minimum temperature today (22nd January) but from 23rd January onwards there can be a fall of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Irregular rainfall was reported from Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Morbi and Kutch districts since Monday.

The groundnut farmers, who had kept their produce for weighing at the Khambhalia market area made representations before the collectorate as the rainfall had ruined their produce.

A farmer from Khambhalia said, “The groundnut damaged by the rain cannot be sold now and the government will not give compensation to us for this. Thus, we made a representation before the collectorate”.  As per the IMD officials, the change in climate was because of a western disturbance.

Regional director of IMD Jayanta Sarkar said, “It caused an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the western part of Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat extending up to 1.5 km above the mean sea level. Cloudy atmosphere will be witnessed in some parts of Gujarat but the disturbance will shift eastwards. Therefore, there are less chances of rainfall”.

Naliya recorded minimum temperature of 11.8 Celsius followed by Gandhinagar at 12.4 degrees, Ahmedabad at 12.7 degrees, Surendranagar - 13.2 degrees and Deesa at 14.1 degrees Celsius. IMD officials told that after Uttarayan festival, Gujarat generally faces warmer climate.