Southwest Monsoon

Unemployment among rural women at one-year high in June: Experts

Weak monsoon and delayed kharif sowing may have pushed rural women's unemployment to a one-year high in June despite higher labour force participation

Best of BS Opinion: Oil and monsoon will drive RBI's inflation debate

Today's opinions analyse inflation risks, education quality, AI's impact on jobs, China's economic influence and how nutrition can help improve healthy ageing

From crops to consumers: How a weak monsoon affects India's economy

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

Southwest monsoon covers India, 36 days after touching Kerala coast

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the usual date for the monsoon to cover the entire country is July 8 and, therefore, this year it has been delayed by a day

Water levels improve in reservoirs as southwest monsoon picks up

Reservoir water levels across India rose sharply in the week to July 9 as strong monsoon rains boosted storage, with western India recording levels well above the 10-year average

Active monsoon phase may narrow kharif sowing gap after weak June

An active southwest monsoon is expected to accelerate kharif sowing after a weak June, helping narrow the rainfall deficit and support crop prospects

India likely to receive below-normal rainfall in July 2026, says IMD

The weather office forecasts July rainfall at less than 94 per cent of the long period average and advises farmers to adopt water conservation measures amid a weak monsoon

Best of BS Opinion: Weather risks, state finances and Trump's economics

Today's opinions examine monsoon uncertainty, RBI's NBFC framework, worsening state finances, Donald Trump's economic approach and the future of modern feminism

Why El Nino could become India's next growth and inflation challenge

With rainfall turning weaker and El Nino risks rising, India could face pressure on farm output, food inflation, rural demand and overall economic growth in FY27

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

Best of BS Opinion: RBI faces twin inflation risks as uncertainty swirls

Today's Opinion highlights the RBI's policy choices, soaring IPL franchise valuations, fiscal challenges, climate targets and a timely examination of contemporary China

Monsoon set to arrive in Kerala within the next 2-3 days, says IMD

Centre forms crop weather watch and crisis management groups, circulates contingency plan to states as IMD forecasts below-normal monsoon and rainfall risks

IMD further lowers 2026 monsoon forecast as El Nino set to develop

Chouhan asks states to be 'prepared'; Centre prepares war chest of extra seeds to meet any eventuality

Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26, says IMD

The monsoon, the primary rain-bearing system, normally arrives in Kerala around June 1 and advances northwards to cover other parts of the country

Southwest monsoon withdraws from India, northeast rains set in: IMD

The southwest monsoon withdrew from the entire country on Thursday, a day after the usual date of October 15, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. At the same time, the northeast monsoon has set in over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe, the IMD said. This year, the monsoon reached Kerala on May 24, its earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it arrived on May 23. It covered the entire country nine days before the usual date of July 8. This was the earliest the monsoon has covered the entire country since 2020 when it did so by June 26. The primary rain-bearing system usually makes its onset over Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8. It starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15. India recorded 937.2 mm of rainfall against the normal of 868.6 mm, a surplus of 8 per cent, in the entire four-month mons

Southwest monsoon withdraws completely from rain-ravaged Himachal Pradesh

The southwest monsoon that arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 20 has completely withdrawn from the state on September 26, the Meteorological Centre Shimla said on Friday. The monsoon had withdrawn from eight out of 12 districts Chamba, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi on Wednesday and from most areas of Kullu and Shimla districts, along with some places of Lahaul-Spiti on Friday. In the past 11 years, the early withdrawal was recorded on September 29, 2015, and the late withdrawal was recorded on October 11, 2019. The state received an average rainfall of 1,023 mm, surpassing the normal rainfall of 730 mm by 40 per cent during the monsoon season. Barring the tribal Lahaul-Spiti district, which received 23 per cent deficit rains, all the other 11 districts received excess rain with Shimla recording 98 percent excess followed by Kullu at 95 per cent, Bilaspur 79 per cent, Mandi 75 per cent, Solan 68 per cent, Una 62 per cent, Hamirpur 59 per cent, Sirmaur

Monsoon withdrawal from Sept 14: These areas may receive heavy rainfall

Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from some parts of Rajasthan on September 14, with IMD warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across north-east, east, central and southern states this week

From boon to bane: How monsoon 2025 is turning into a nightmare for many

Above-normal monsoon this year has seen surge in kharif planting, driving up fertiliser demand, but heavy rains in northern states have also ruined standing crops, while floods have killed hundreds

Monsoon likely to hit Delhi by June 22, ahead of normal schedule

Delhi has been facing scorching summer heat over the past two weeks, with heat index temperatures reaching as high as 54.4 degrees Celsius last week

Monsoon to return from June 12 after 13-day lull, IMD warns of heavy rain

IMD says the southwest monsoon will progress northwards after a 13-day pause, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and intense rain forecast across peninsular, northern, and northeastern India