Rainfall Deficit Widens

17-Jul-2026 03:55 PM

New Delhi. Due to the extremely weak state of the Southwest Monsoon, the rainfall deficit across the country—both on a daily and seasonal basis—has begun to widen again. According to the Meteorological Department, the country received only 4.3 mm of rainfall on July 15, which was 57 percent below the normal average of 10 mm. A sharp decline in rainfall has been observed since the beginning of the current week.

According to the Meteorological Department, a total of 231.3 mm of rainfall was recorded in the country between June 1 and July 16, which is 24 percent lower than the Long Period Average (LPA) of 304.2 mm. The monsoon has receded from most parts of the country, while a spell of intense heat persists. The Meteorological Department has stated that monsoon activity is likely to pick up again next week, bringing good rainfall to several states. This is because a low-pressure area is forming over the Bay of Bengal—potentially intensifying into a depression—which will invigorate the monsoon. Simultaneously, two Western Disturbances are set to become active in the northwest; as they move forward, they may interact with the monsoon flow coming from the east.

On July 16, all four meteorological divisions of the country recorded rainfall below or significantly below the normal average. A rainfall deficit of 95 percent was recorded in the Southern Peninsula; out of 10 meteorological subdivisions there, three received no rainfall at all, while the others saw very little.

Northwest India received 90 percent less rainfall than the normal average. Similarly, a rainfall deficit of 33 percent was observed in the central states. The Meteorological Department has forecast extremely heavy rainfall for Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh between July 17 and 21, and for the Vidarbha region on July 17–18, which could lead to localized flooding.