Rainfall Deficit

Rainfall deficit, high temperatures delay rabi sowing in Rajasthan

Low soil moisture and intense heat have prevented farmers from taking up sowing, with only those having access to irrigation facilities able to proceed

Rajasthan records rainfall deficit of over 20%, worst in 16 years

Over 20% rainfall shortfall triggers drought-like conditions, threatens Kharif output and raises concerns over rural demand

Watch for El Nino's delayed fallout

Modest decline in sown area masks risks to crop yields and rural incomes

The cost of drought

Focus should go beyond immediate relief

El Nino impact: India sees lowest monsoon rainfall in over a decade

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

India sees warmest August since 1901 as monsoon rainfall deficit hits 13.8%

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

IMD predicts below-normal September rains; 47% of country rain deficient

September rainfall is expected to be below 91 per cent of the long-period average, while June-August monsoon rains have recorded a deficiency of 13.8 per cent

El Niño drives India's July power demand to a record high: Crisil report

India's power demand is expected to rise 6.5-7.5 per cent this fiscal to 1,825-1,835 BU, driven by an expected increase in cooling demand due to higher temperatures and lower rainfall

Monsoon picks up, but market bulls aren't out of the woods yet; here's why

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.

India's monsoon rainfall deficit at 14%: When does it become a drought?

The IMD said that with the onset of the southwest monsoon, India's overall rainfall deficit fell to 14 per cent on July 9, down from 30 per cent on June 30

Weak monsoon emerges as India's next economic problem after crude oil

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

India asks farmers in rain-fed areas to shift to less water-intensive crops

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

Govt makes contingency plans for 315 districts vulnerable to weak monsoon

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

Why has monsoon progress stalled across parts of India despite early onset?

After a swift onset over Kerala and rapid early advances, the southwest monsoon has lost momentum across India, leaving many states facing rainfall deficits and water concerns

India facing 41% rainfall deficit as monsoon stalls over Maharashtra

India's rainfall remains 41% below normal as the southwest monsoon loses momentum, raising fresh concerns for agriculture and water availability

India's monsoon starts nearly 40% below normal as El Niño disrupts weather

The climate pattern is historically associated with dryness in South Asia, and US scientists expect it to be one of the strongest on record

Rain deficit: Himachal sees 1 mm avg rain in Nov against normal of 19.7 mm

With 95 per cent deficit rain in November 2025, Himachal Pradesh recorded its ninth lowest rainfall for the month since 1901, the local meteorological station said on Monday. The state received 1 mm average rain in November 2025 against the month's normal of 19.7 mm. Barring some normal rain activity on November 5, the state witnessed dry weather throughout the month. Sirmaur district recorded 100 per cent deficit rain, followed by Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur and Chamba districts at 99 per cent, Kullu and Una at 96 per cent each, Solan at 95 per cent, Bilaspur at 94 per cent, Lahaul and Spiti at 92 per cent and Kinnaur at 92 per cent. The same amount of rainfall was recorded in 1983 and 2021, while the highest rainfall of 88.5 mm was recorded in 1925, the Met office said. It added that dense fog was observed for nine days in Mandi district and for seven days in Bilaspur in November. Meanwhile, dry weather prevailed in the state on Monday. The local Met station has issued a ye

Rainfall 15% above normal, but 33.5% of districts remain monsoon-deficient

It is in these 33.5 per cent districts where agriculture activities would be under most threat

Drought has dried Amazon river tributary to lowest level in over 122 years

One of the Amazon river's main tributaries has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, Brazil's geological service said on Friday, reflecting a severe drought that has devastated the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the country. The level of the Negro river at the port of Manaus was at 12.66 metres on Friday, as compared with a normal level of about 21 metres. It is the lowest since measurements started 122 years ago. The previous record low level was recorded last year, but toward the end of October. The Negro river's water level might drop even more in coming weeks based on forecasts for low rainfall in upstream regions, according to the geological service's predictions. Andre Martinelli, the agency's hydrology manager in Manaus, was quoted as saying the river was expected to continue receding until the end of the month. Water levels in Brazil's Amazon always rise and fall with its rainy and dry seasons, but the dry portion of this year has been much worse than usual. All o

India's monsoon begins to retreat after delivering surplus rains: IMD

Country sees rainfall surplus of 5% but there's 13% deficit in east and northeast