Ahmedabad/Rajkot: After a prolonged dry spell that has raised concerns of a drought-like situation in parts of Gujarat, rainfall activity is likely to revive from Sept 12, with the wet spell expected to continue for about four days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).On Sept 12, heavy rain is forecast for isolated places in Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Dang, Navsari and Valsad, as well as Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Amreli and Bhavnagar.Heavy rain is also likely at isolated places in Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod and Vadodara, besides several districts of Saurashtra, including Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath and Botad, and Diu.The weather system is expected to strengthen over the following days, with very heavy rain likely at isolated places in parts of South Gujarat and Saurashtra. Heavy rain may also occur at isolated places in several parts of Central Gujarat, South Gujarat and Saurashtra.Towards the end of the forecast period on September 16, rainfall activity is likely to be concentrated over Porbandar, Junagadh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath and Diu, where heavy rain in isolated places is forecast.The fresh spell is attributed to a low-pressure area that formed over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas on Thursday morning under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 9.4km above mean sea level and is tilting southwestwards with height.The state has received 75.69% of its average annual rainfall so far this season. The situation is particularly grim in Kutch, Saurashtra and North Gujarat, which have received only 29.93%, 56.26% and 56.23% of their respective long-term average rainfall. Devbhumi Dwarka district is the most parched with just 6% of its average annual rainfall received this monsoon.The forecast comes at a crucial time for farmers, particularly in regions that have experienced a prolonged break in rainfall after significant showers in Aug and have already gone ahead with sowing.Amreli district received scattered showers on Thursday, with rain reported in Khambha, Dhari, Savarkundla and Liliya talukas. Several villages received moderate to heavy showers, bringing relief to farmers as rainwater flowed over roads and gave a fresh lease of life to wilting cotton and groundnut crops.
