Monsoon Deficit

Wheat sowing has just commenced in a few states, with coverage at 11,000 hectare so far, against 27,000 hectare in the year-ago period, amid a deficient southwest monsoon, according to Agriculture Ministry data. "Wheat sowing has just commenced in a few states," the ministry said while releasing the sowing data as of October 23. Wheat, a major rabi crop, is generally sown in October-November and harvested in March-April. The crop was sown in 336 lakh hectare in the 2025-26 crop year (July-June). The ministry has set a wheat production target of 121 million tonnes for the 2026-27 crop year, following a record output of 120.7 million tonnes in the previous year. The southwest monsoon (June-September) was 13 per cent deficient as per the Met Department. A weak monsoon leaves less residual soil moisture and lower water levels in reservoirs and canals at the start of the rabi season. Since wheat needs several rounds of irrigation after sowing, poor rains can delay planting, reduce acre

From Starlink's security concerns and Maharashtra's drought politics to challenges facing Modi's third term and Shashi Tharoor's political branding, today's opinions examine a variety of issues

The southwest monsoon was both patchy and deficient. That has hurt key farm regions and raised concerns over food prices

Rural vehicle sales rose 32.69 per cent in September, supported by small businesses and non-farm incomes, while tractor demand remained more sensitive to farm conditions

The country received 12.6 per cent less rainfall than the long-period average during the four-month monsoon season

Cumulative rainfall during the June to September monsoon season is 15% below the long-term average so far, according to the India Meteorological Department

Monsoon rainfall was 13.8 per cent below normal during June-August, with around 350 districts, or 47 per cent of India, receiving deficient or very deficient rain by August 31

This year's monsoon opened with India's fifth-driest June on record and rainfall almost 40% below normal levels, followed by a sudden deluge early this month

The recent acceleration in rainfall has provided a sentiment lift, but from a fundamental standpoint, it has only partially mitigated D-Street's underlying anxieties.

A poor monsoon can trigger a chain reaction across the economy, from lower farm output and higher food prices to weaker demand and changes in RBI policy

The monsoon, which accounts for about 70% of India's annual rainfall, is vital for the $300 billion farm economy and has an outsized influence on food prices, rural demand and broader economic output

According to a recent India Meteorological Department (IMD) release, India recorded 45.6 mm of rainfall by June 20 against the seasonal normal of 84.4 mm, resulting in a 46 per cent shortfall.

The push by the farm ministry is part of a broader effort to prepare for the 2026 monsoon planting season after rainfall since June 1 has run 42% below normal

The monsoon has so far brought rains about 43% below average, and the weather office has forecast weak rains through the week ending July 2

Heavy rain is likely across eastern and northeastern states, while thunderstorms and gusty winds are set to affect several regions even as the monsoon's advance remains slow

IMD weather update: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Punjab and Chandigarh face a 23 per cent rainfall deficit, while Haryana has an 11 per cent shortfall, below expected levels

IMD weather update: The record heat was accompanied by 'exceptionally heavy rainfall' in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala, which led to significant flooding last month

Monsoon in India: J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab are still awaiting normal rainfall

Heavy rainfall across large parts of India has compensated for the June deficit, bringing the overall monsoon precipitation into the surplus category. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), more spells of heavy to very heavy rain are likely over northwest India and the western parts of the peninsular India during the next two-three days and over the northeast during the next five days. India, the world's top producer of critical crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane, logged a rainfall deficit of 11 percent in June, with northwest India recording a shortfall of 33 per cent. Heavy rain in the first week of July compensated for the shortfall but caused flooding in many northeastern states. Since the four-month monsoon season began on June 1, the country has received 214.9 mm of rainfall against a normal of 213.3 mm, according to IMD data. Northwest India and the southern peninsula have recorded 3 per cent and 13 per cent above-normal rainfall, respectively. The he

The weather department is hoping that while the monsoon has weakened, it is expected to pick up again and potentially make up for the shortfall quickly