Rainfall Deficit Archives - Odisha Connect https://odishaconnect.com/tag/rainfall-deficit/ We Deep Dive Into The News Sun, 20 Sep 2026 01:53:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.11 https://odishaconnect.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-OC_LOGO_web_NEW1-removebg-preview-32x32.png Rainfall Deficit Archives - Odisha Connect https://odishaconnect.com/tag/rainfall-deficit/ 32 32 Deficient Monsoon Rainfall Raises Drought Concerns Across India https://odishaconnect.com/india-monsoon-rainfall-deficit-drought-concerns-2026/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 01:53:58 +0000 https://odishaconnect.com/?p=13030

India has recorded 15% less monsoon rainfall than normal so far in 2026, with 16 states facing deficient rainfall. The situation has raised concerns over crop production, water availability and possible drought-like conditions in several regions.

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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.

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]]> India’s Major Reservoirs Only 32% Full Despite Monsoon Arrival, Says Central Water Commission https://odishaconnect.com/india-major-reservoirs-32-percent-full-despite-monsoon-cwc-report/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:35:10 +0000 https://odishaconnect.com/?p=11416

India's 155 major reservoirs currently hold only 32.38% of their total storage capacity despite the southwest monsoon covering the entire country, according to the Central Water Commission. Experts warn that below-normal rainfall in several regions could impact Kharif cultivation, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation if reservoir levels do not improve

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Despite the southwest monsoon covering the entire country, water storage levels in India’s major reservoirs remain significantly below capacity, raising concerns over water availability for agriculture, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation.

According to the latest data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the country’s 155 major reservoirs currently hold only 58.85 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water, which is 32.38% of their total live storage capacity of 181.74 BCM. This means nearly 68% of the storage capacity remains unfilled even as the monsoon season reaches its midpoint.

Experts attribute the low storage levels to below-normal rainfall across several parts of north, central, and western India. Reduced rainfall has led to lower river inflows, limiting the amount of water entering reservoirs. Although some regions have received good rainfall, it has not been sufficient to significantly improve the country’s overall water storage.

Reservoirs play a crucial role in ensuring drinking water supply, irrigation for agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation. Experts have warned that if rainfall does not improve in the coming weeks, the low storage levels could affect Kharif crop cultivation, urban and rural water supply, and electricity production.

The Central Water Commission said it is continuously monitoring reservoir levels across the country. Officials expressed hope that the situation could improve if rainfall intensifies over the next few weeks.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast increased rainfall in several parts of the country in the coming days, which is expected to boost inflows into reservoirs. However, water experts have stressed the need for careful water conservation and efficient management until storage levels improve.

The current situation highlights the importance of prudent water use, particularly during the monsoon season, as reservoir storage remains a key indicator of the country’s water security for the months ahead.

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