Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday, 18 June chaired a high-level inter-departmental meeting in Gandhinagar to review Gujarat's preparedness for the potential impact of an El Niño weather phase, covering drinking water security, agricultural planning, and livestock management ahead of the monsoon season. The meeting was convened in response to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)'s forecast of a possible El Niño cycle that could affect rainfall patterns across the state.

Key Decisions from the Review Meeting

A significant operational change announced at the meeting was the expansion of the eligibility zone for filling village and taluka lakes using Narmada pipeline water. The radius has been extended from three km to seven km, substantially widening the network of water bodies that can be replenished.

The government has also directed that more than 300 lakes across North Gujarat be filled under existing water management arrangements. Reservoirs in Saurashtra are to be replenished under the SAUNI scheme, and water supply operations across the state are to be integrated more closely with the Narmada network to prevent any drinking water shortage.

What the Government Said

State spokesperson and Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said the administration was operating in a coordinated mode under the Chief Minister's guidance. 'Integrated micro-level planning had been put in place across departments to manage potential risks related to rainfall variability,' he said. Senior officials from the agriculture, irrigation, water supply, Narmada, forest, and revenue departments attended the meeting.

Agricultural Contingency Planning

Officials confirmed that seed and fertiliser arrangements for the Kharif 2026 season are adequate. A contingency crop plan has been prepared to guide farmers toward short-duration, low-water-use varieties, backed by scientific advisories from agricultural departments and universities.

The agriculture department is deploying satellite-based monitoring to track soil moisture levels and crop health in real time. More than 50 lakh farmers are receiving weather updates and agricultural advisories through an AI-enabled 'Krushi Pragati' platform, delivered via SMS.

Livestock and Revenue Department Measures

The state has directed concerned departments to maintain adequate fodder reserves and make advance arrangements for adverse weather scenarios. Officials stated that the current buffer stock is sufficient for up to two years. The revenue department has been instructed to maintain round-the-clock coordination with district administrations.

Historical Context and Official Reassurance

The government cited historical data indicating that Gujarat experienced eight Kharif El Niño years between 2000 and 2026. Officials noted that not all such years resulted in below-normal rainfall — pointing to 2006 and 2023, when the state reportedly recorded 117 per cent of normal rainfall despite strong El Niño conditions. 'There was no need for alarm, and citizens must follow official guidance and avoid misinformation,' officials said. The review also covered the status of major reservoirs including the Sardar Sarovar dam.

With inter-departmental coordination now formalised and field-level monitoring activated, the state government is expected to issue further district-wise advisories as the monsoon season approaches.