Archive · 1 Sep 2026
IMD Forecasts Poor, Below-Normal September Rains for Telangana
Telangana has received much less rain than usual this monsoon season.
August was especially dry, with rainfall 38% below normal.
Weather officials expect September to be drier and warmer than usual.
This could make the rainfall shortage worse.
Less rain may reduce the amount of water underground.
It could also lower water flowing into reservoirs connected to the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
A weather pattern called El Niño has become stronger and may continue for months.
Officials say it is too early to know how this could affect the 2027 monsoon.
Telangana is facing an average rainfall deficit of 17%, with August alone 38% below normal.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts below-normal rainfall and warmer-than-normal temperatures in Telangana during September.
The IMD said El Niño has strengthened and may persist until February, possibly remaining strong through March-May 2027.
Expected September low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal may carry rain toward northern and eastern India rather than Telangana.
Drier conditions could reduce groundwater levels and reservoir inflows into the Krishna and Godavari river systems.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department and its director-general, Dr Sanjay Mahapatra, issued the forecast.
- What
- Telangana is forecast to experience below-normal rainfall and warmer-than-normal temperatures in September.
- When
- The forecast covers September, the final month of the southwest monsoon; El Niño is expected to continue until at least February.
- Where
- Telangana, with possible effects on the Krishna and Godavari river systems; expected rain-bearing systems may move toward Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and parts of Odisha.
- Why
- A strengthening El Niño, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole conditions and weather systems moving away from peninsular India are contributing to the outlook.
- Telangana rainfall deficit
- The average deficit is 17%; August rainfall was 38% below normal.
- September outlook
- Below-normal rainfall and warmer-than-normal temperatures are forecast.
- El Niño outlook
- The IMD expects El Niño to remain until February and says it could stay fairly strong through March, April and May 2027.
- Potential water impact
- Drier conditions could affect groundwater levels and reservoir inflows.
- Affected river systems
- Inflows into reservoirs on the Krishna and Godavari rivers could be affected.
- Indian Ocean Dipole
- Conditions that had appeared to be moving positive have returned to a neutral phase.
- August forecast discrepancy
- Models had predicted normal to above-normal rainfall for much of Telangana, but the state did not receive the expected rain.