The delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon and a significant rainfall deficit have raised serious concerns for farmers across Odisha, with agricultural activities already facing disruptions in several districts. Hopes that the monsoon would bring favourable weather conditions for cultivation have been dampened by El Niño-like conditions and inadequate rainfall during the crucial sowing season.

The situation is particularly evident in Koraput district, where insufficient rainfall has stalled land preparation and seed sowing activities. Large stretches of agricultural land remain dry due to the lack of adequate precipitation, affecting farmers who depend heavily on monsoon rains for cultivation.

According to forecasts by the Agricultural Meteorology Department, the impact is expected to be more severe in eight districts of Odisha. In northern Odisha, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh, and Sundargarh are likely to witness below-normal rainfall. Similarly, in southern Odisha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, and Nabarangpur are expected to experience rainfall deficits during the season.

In response to the anticipated shortfall, the Agriculture Department has planned to supply short-duration crop varieties to farmers in the affected districts. Agricultural scientist Dr. Tushar Ranjan Mohanty has advised farmers cultivating upland areas to consider non-paddy crops as an alternative to traditional paddy cultivation, given the uncertain rainfall situation.

The concerns have intensified following the latest rainfall report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which indicates that June is on course to become the driest in 146 years. Although the monsoon, which remained stalled for nearly two weeks, is expected to regain momentum in the coming days, the damage caused during June has already been substantial.

Between June 4 and June 22, India recorded only 53.1 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 97.6 mm, resulting in a rainfall deficit of nearly 46 percent. Odisha’s situation has been even more alarming. During the same period, the state received only 62.5 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 128.9 mm, recording a deficit of around 52 percent. Weather expert Dr. Surendranath Pashupal noted that the state is experiencing one of the most severe rainfall shortages in recent years.

Large parts of central and western India have also witnessed largely cloud-free skies, further contributing to the rainfall deficit. Meteorologists warn that June 2026 is likely to go down as the driest June in more than a century, raising concerns about its impact on agriculture, water availability, and rural livelihoods across the country.

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