India’s southwest monsoon ends 12.6% below normal, IMD says

India’s 2026 southwest monsoon ended with rainfall 12.6% below normal, the India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday. The country received 759.4 millimetres of rain against a long-term normal of 868.6 millimetres, equivalent to 87% of the Long Period Average. It was the lowest monsoon rainfall recorded since 2015, when the total was 758.2 millimetres.

The east and northeast recorded 1,017.1 millimetres, their driest monsoon since systematic records began in 1901. Rainfall in the region was 25.6% below normal. The southern peninsula was 24.3% below normal, while northwest India recorded a 5.9% deficit and central India a 2.6% deficit.

Seventeen of the country’s 36 subdivisions, covering 42% of India’s land area, recorded deficient rainfall. Eighteen subdivisions had normal rainfall and one recorded excess. Of 741 assessed districts, 282 were deficient and 34 were classified as largely deficient.

The season’s monthly pattern varied sharply. June received only 65% of normal rainfall, while July was 1% above normal after central India received 33% more rain than usual. August reached 84% of the Long Period Average and September finished at 92.4%.

IMD Director General M. Mohapatra said forecasts broadly matched conditions in many regions, though they were less accurate for parts of northwest and adjoining central India. The southwest monsoon is expected to withdraw fully in early October.

October rainfall is forecast at below 85% of the normal 75.4 millimetres, while temperatures are expected to be above normal across most of the country. Parts of Punjab, Haryana and northern India could receive useful rain for winter crops.