Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Erratic Monsoon Leaves Nearly Half Telangana Mandals Rain-Deficient
Telangana has received less rain than usual during this monsoon season.
By August 28, the state had a 15% rainfall deficit.
Rainfall was especially low in 290 of the state’s 621 mandals.
Some places received normal or excess rain, so the rainfall was uneven.
The India Meteorological Department places rainfall within 19% above or below normal in the normal category.
Even with the rain shortage, farmers continued planting crops.
Paddy was the largest crop, followed closely by cotton.
Officials linked the difficult monsoon conditions to an El Niño effect.
The article says farmers may have continued planting because rains improved in late July and early August.
Telangana recorded deficit rainfall in 290 of its 621 mandals by August 28.
The state received 469.4 mm of rain against a normal 551.6 mm, an overall 15% deficit.
Four mandals faced large deficits, while 71 mandals received excess rainfall.
Sixteen districts were classified as deficit, 16 as normal, and Kamareddy as excess.
Despite uneven rainfall, farmers planted 11,95,5375 acres, with paddy and cotton leading crop coverage.
- Who
- Telangana’s farmers, mandals, districts, the India Meteorological Department, and the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.
- What
- An uneven monsoon left Telangana with an overall 15% rainfall deficit, while agricultural planting continued.
- When
- Rainfall figures cover June 1 through August 28; planting figures are as of August 27.
- Where
- Across Telangana, including districts such as Kamareddy and Adilabad.
- Why
- The article attributes the rainfall shortfall and erratic distribution to the ongoing monsoon and this year’s El Niño conditions.
Concern Over Rainfall Deficits
Continued Agricultural Activity
Impact of the monsoon
Concern Over Rainfall Deficits
The rainfall data show widespread stress, with 290 mandals and 16 districts in the deficit category and the state overall 15% below normal.
Continued Agricultural Activity
Despite the uneven rainfall, farmers continued planting, suggesting that late-July and early-August rains encouraged agricultural activity.
Crop planting trends
Concern Over Rainfall Deficits
Paddy acreage declined from 59,05,675 acres last year to 50,92,817 acres this year as of August 27.
Continued Agricultural Activity
Total planted area increased from 11,70,9156 acres last year to 11,95,5375 acres this year, while cotton acreage rose from 45,21,192 to 48,21,503 acres.
- State rainfall
- Telangana received 469.4 mm against a normal 551.6 mm between June 1 and August 28.
- Overall deficit
- The state’s cumulative rainfall was 15% below normal.
- Affected mandals
- 290 of 621 mandals were classified as receiving deficit rainfall.
- Excess rainfall
- Seventy-one mandals received excess rainfall; Kamareddy was the only district listed in the excess category.
- District classifications
- Sixteen districts were deficit, while 16 were in the normal category; 10 of the normal-category districts had net deficits.
- Leading crops
- Paddy covered 50,92,817 acres and cotton covered 48,21,503 acres as of August 27.
- Rainfall classification
- The India Meteorological Department defines normal rainfall as between 19% below and 19% above the expected amount.