Archive · 22 Aug 2026
India’s Monsoon Deficit Grows as Eastern Rains Intensify
India has received less rain than usual this monsoon season.
The country’s rain shortage grew to 15.2% during August through August 21.
A weather system over Madhya Pradesh is helping bring rain to several regions.
Other rotating weather systems are joining together over the Bay of Bengal and nearby areas.
This could create another low-pressure system focused mainly on eastern and northeastern India.
Parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and other northeastern states may receive heavy rain.
Southern, central and western parts of India are also expected to get rain, but it may not fall evenly everywhere.
Forecasters are watching these systems to see how the monsoon develops next.
India’s overall rainfall deficit reached 15.2% through August 21, while the June–August seasonal deficit rose to 13.2%.
South Peninsula recorded the largest regional deficit at 23.1%, followed by Central India at 16.5%.
A low-pressure area over northeast Madhya Pradesh and several cyclonic circulations are sustaining rainfall across eastern and central India.
The India Meteorological Department expects prolonged heavy rain in parts of Northeast India, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep and parts of southern and central India are also forecast to receive widespread or scattered rain.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department and weather systems affecting India.
- What
- India’s monsoon rainfall deficit is increasing while several systems are producing rain and potentially creating another low-pressure area.
- When
- The report was published on August 22, 2026; forecasts cover the following three to seven days.
- Where
- Across India, with particular focus on eastern and northeastern India, central India, the southern peninsula and the west coast.
- Why
- Rainfall has remained below normal, while an existing low-pressure area, the monsoon trough and multiple cyclonic circulations are driving the current and expected weather.
- August rainfall deficit
- 15.2% nationwide through August 21.
- Seasonal rainfall deficit
- 13.2% for June through August.
- Largest regional deficit
- South Peninsula, at 23.1%.
- Existing weather system
- A low-pressure area persists over northeast Madhya Pradesh.
- Potential next system
- Circulations over the north Bay, Bangladesh and the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast could help form another low-pressure area.
- Northeast forecast
- Isolated heavy rain is expected in Arunachal Pradesh for five days and Assam and Meghalaya for six days.
- West coast forecast
- Coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe, and Lakshadweep may receive fairly widespread to widespread rain for seven days.