Archive · 1 Oct 2026
India’s Southwest Monsoon Ends With 12.6% Rainfall Deficit
India’s four-month rainy season ended with less rain than usual.
The country received about 12.6% less rain than its long-term average.
This made it the driest monsoon in 11 years.
The rain arrived a few days later than normal and reached the whole country by July 9.
Some regions, especially the northeast and southern Peninsula, received much less rain than usual.
Maharashtra declared drought conditions in 74% of its subdistricts.
A weather pattern called El Niño may be linked to weaker monsoon rain.
The weather department expects normal northeast monsoon rain in parts of southern India but below-normal rain in most other areas.
India received 759.4 mm of monsoon rain, compared with a long-period average of 868.6 mm.
The 12.6% deficit made this the country’s driest monsoon season in 11 years and fourth driest this century.
The monsoon arrived on June 4 and covered the entire country by July 9.
Eastern and northeastern states recorded their lowest rainfall since 1901, while southern Peninsula rainfall was its fourth-lowest since 1901.
The India Meteorological Department forecast normal northeast monsoon rainfall in several southern regions but below-normal rain for most other areas.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department reported the rainfall figures; Maharashtra’s government declared drought conditions in much of the state.
- What
- India’s southwest monsoon ended with a 12.6% rainfall deficit, making it the driest season in 11 years.
- When
- The monsoon began on June 4 and ended on Wednesday after the four-month rainy season.
- Where
- Across India, with especially low rainfall in eastern and northeastern states and the southern Peninsula.
- Why
- The deficit occurred amid strong El Niño conditions, which have been linked to reduced monsoon rainfall in India.
- Total rainfall
- 759.4 mm, compared with a long-period average of 868.6 mm
- Seasonal deficit
- 12.6% below the long-period average
- Monsoon onset
- June 4, three days later than the usual June 1 date
- Countrywide coverage
- July 9, one day later than the normal July 8 date
- Eastern and northeastern rainfall
- 1,017.1 mm, the lowest recorded since 1901
- Southern Peninsula rainfall
- 542 mm, the fourth-lowest since 1901 and second-lowest since 2001
- Maharashtra drought declaration
- Drought conditions declared in 74% of the state’s subdistricts