Archive · 31 Aug 2026
India's Uneven Monsoon Leaves Regions Facing Severe Rain Deficits
India’s monsoon rain has not fallen evenly across the country.
Some places had long dry periods, followed by very heavy rain.
This heavy rain caused flooding and waterlogging in areas such as Delhi-NCR and Gurugram.
Delhi’s total rainfall was considered normal from June to August.
However, a few very rainy days supplied a large share of that total.
Across India, rainfall was 13.8% below the usual amount for those months.
Some states, including Bihar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, had much larger shortages.
Forecasters say much of India may continue to receive below-normal rain in early September, although some eastern areas could get heavy rain.
India received 603.7 mm of rain from June to August, 13.8% below the normal 700.7 mm.
Rainfall was uneven, with dry periods interrupted by intense spells causing waterlogging and flooding.
Delhi’s June-August rainfall was 14% above normal, but much of it came during a few heavy-rain days.
East and Northeast India recorded the largest regional deficits, while Northwest India was 11% below normal.
The IMD expects below-normal rainfall across much of India from September 3 to 9, with isolated heavy rain in several eastern areas.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department and regions and states across India are involved in the rainfall assessment.
- What
- India experienced uneven monsoon rainfall, including a national deficit and severe shortfalls in several states.
- When
- The assessment covers June through August, with an outlook for September 3 to 9.
- Where
- Across India, with notable differences in Delhi, East and Northeast India, Northwest India and Central India.
- Why
- Seasonal rainfall totals were shaped by alternating dry periods and short spells of intense rain, while overall rainfall remained below normal in many areas.
- India’s June-August rainfall
- 603.7 mm, compared with a normal 700.7 mm
- National rainfall deficit
- 13.8% below normal from June to August
- Delhi rainfall departure
- 14% above normal from June to August, within the IMD’s normal category
- Delhi rainfall totals
- 32.9 mm in June, 261.5 mm in July and 354.1 mm in August
- Largest regional deficit
- East and Northeast India recorded the largest deficit
- State deficits
- Bihar: -42%, Manipur: -43%, Arunachal Pradesh: -41%, Andhra Pradesh: -42%
- September outlook
- Below-normal rainfall is expected over most of India from September 3 to 9, with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in parts of the east and Northeast