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
Summer rains, critical to spur economic growth in Asia's third-largest economy, usually begin in the south around June 1 before spreading nationwide by July 8