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Weather
India's Monsoon Deficit Hits 13% as Rainfall Gaps Widen Across the Country
✍️ India Today
🗓 22 Aug 2026, 09:17 AM
👁 4
The Indian Meteorological Department reports a 13% shortfall in this season's monsoon, with rainfall distribution varying sharply between regions.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the current monsoon season is 13% below the long‑term average, marking a significant shortfall for the country. The deficit is based on rainfall data collected up to the end of July and reflects a slower onset and weaker intensity than usual.
IMD officials highlighted that the shortfall is not uniform; while parts of the north‑east and central India received near‑normal or above‑normal rainfall, large swathes of the western and southern peninsular regions recorded markedly below‑average precipitation. The disparity has widened the gap between water‑rich and water‑scarce zones.
Agricultural analysts warn that the uneven monsoon could strain crop sowing schedules, especially for rain‑fed staples such as rice and pulses in the deficit zones. Reservoir levels in several states are also lagging, prompting the central government to consider supplementary irrigation measures and to monitor farmer distress closely.
The IMD forecasts a modest improvement in the coming weeks, but cautions that the overall deficit may persist unless the remaining monsoon weeks deliver sustained rainfall across the under‑served areas.
IMD officials highlighted that the shortfall is not uniform; while parts of the north‑east and central India received near‑normal or above‑normal rainfall, large swathes of the western and southern peninsular regions recorded markedly below‑average precipitation. The disparity has widened the gap between water‑rich and water‑scarce zones.
Agricultural analysts warn that the uneven monsoon could strain crop sowing schedules, especially for rain‑fed staples such as rice and pulses in the deficit zones. Reservoir levels in several states are also lagging, prompting the central government to consider supplementary irrigation measures and to monitor farmer distress closely.
The IMD forecasts a modest improvement in the coming weeks, but cautions that the overall deficit may persist unless the remaining monsoon weeks deliver sustained rainfall across the under‑served areas.