A comprehensive report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has laid bare the severe impact of extreme weather on Gujarat in 2025. The state witnessed devastating floods and heavy rainfall that affected approximately two-thirds of its districts, leading to the tragic loss of nearly 50 lives.
National Climate Context: A Record Warm Year
The findings are part of the IMD's 'Statement on the Climate of India during 2025', which flagged last year as one of the country's warmest on record. The all-India annual mean land surface air temperature was 0.28 degrees Celsius above the 1991–2020 long-term average. This places 2025 as the eighth warmest year since nationwide records began in 1901.
Seasonal breakdown showed significant variations. Winter months (January–February) were notably hotter, with temperatures soaring 1.17 degrees Celsius above normal. The pre-monsoon period (March–May) was also warmer by 0.29 degrees. Interestingly, the post-monsoon season (October–December) saw temperatures dip slightly, recording 0.1 degrees below the long-term average.
Gujarat's Battle with Floods and Rainfall
While the country overall received 110% of the long-period average (LPA) rainfall, Gujarat was categorized among the 'extremely wet' or 'severely wet' regions during the monsoon. The district-wise assessment paints a stark picture of the widespread disruption.
Only eight districts—Patan, Surendranagar, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bharuch, Tapi, and Panchmahal—were spared from incidents of heavy rainfall or flooding. This means the majority of the state's districts grappled with these extreme weather events. Most fatalities in Gujarat were directly linked to the heavy rains and subsequent floods.
Comparative National Toll and Future Outlook
Despite the significant local impact, Gujarat's death toll was relatively lower compared to several other Indian states. Nationally, extreme weather events claimed around 2,760 lives in 2025. Uttar Pradesh (about 410 deaths) and Madhya Pradesh (around 350 deaths) were the hardest hit.
In a specific breakdown of thunderstorm and lightning deaths, Gujarat reported only five fatalities out of a national total of 152. Madhya Pradesh accounted for 63 such deaths, while Uttar Pradesh reported 44.
Looking ahead, the IMD's seasonal forecast for January to March 2026 indicates that parts of Gujarat, particularly Saurashtra and central regions, may receive above-normal rainfall. The forecast also suggests both minimum and maximum temperatures across most of the state are likely to remain below normal during this period.
