Deficient Monsoon Rainfall Raises Drought Concerns Across India

Monsoon rainfall has remained below normal across large parts of India this year, raising concerns over a possible drought-like situation for farmers in several states. Sixteen states, covering nearly 43% of the country’s geographical area, have recorded deficient rainfall, according to rainfall data.

The shortage of rainfall has emerged as a concern for the agricultural sector, as inadequate precipitation can directly affect crop production and water availability. If the situation persists, several regions could also face drinking water shortages in the coming months.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, from June 1 to September 18, 2026, the country received 691.9 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall of 812.1 mm. The significant gap between normal and actual rainfall has raised concerns over the overall monsoon performance this year.

During the period from June 1 to September 18, only a few states received excess or above-normal rainfall. These states together account for just around 2% of the country’s geographical area. Meanwhile, 18 states, covering nearly 55% of the country, recorded normal rainfall.

However, 16 states witnessed deficient or severely deficient rainfall, accounting for around 43% of the country’s geographical area. The rainfall pattern has raised concerns about the possibility of drought-like conditions in several parts of the country.

25% Deficit Recorded in East and Northeast India

The extent of the rainfall deficit can be gauged from the fact that the country as a whole received around 15% less rainfall than normal during the current monsoon season.

East and Northeast India recorded a rainfall deficit of around 25% compared with the normal level. Northwest India received 9% less rainfall than normal, while Central India recorded a deficit of 6%.

The South Peninsular region was among the worst affected by the deficient monsoon, recording around 28% less rainfall than normal.

The uneven distribution and overall deficit in monsoon rainfall have increased concerns for farmers, particularly in areas that remain heavily dependent on rainfall for agriculture. The coming weeks will be crucial for assessing the impact of the rainfall shortage on crops, water availability and agricultural activity across the affected regions.