Monsoon season ends with significant rainfall deficit

India's southwest monsoon season, spanning June through August, concluded with rainfall 14% below the long-period average, according to data from the India Meteorological Department The country received 603.7 mm against the normal 700.7 mm during the three-month period.

August, in particular, recorded 16% below-normal rainfall, following June's 35% deficiency. July, however, saw a slight surplus of 1%.

Regional and state-wise variations

The IMD data shows that 17 meteorological subdivisions across the country ended the season deficient, while 18 received normal rainfall. Odisha emerged as the only state with excess rainfall, registering 26% above normal during June–August.

Fourteen states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar,and Assam, were classified deficient, while otherstatesand union territories recorded normal or higher precipitation.

At the regional level, the east and north-east region received 26% less rainfall than normal, the south peninsula 24% below normal, the north-west region 11% deficient, and central India recorded 4% lower rainfall.

Kerala's deficit and district-wise breakdown

Kerala, one of the affected states, recorded 1,367.1 mm of rainfall from June 1 to August 31, which was 22% below its normal of 1,746.8 mm, according to IMD rainfall data. The rainfall during the period was classified as 'deficient' for the state.

Among the districts, Wayanad recorded the highest deficit at 50%, receiving 1,090.1 mm against its normal of 2,200.9 mm. Idukki followed with a 44% deficit, receiving 1,239.2 mm against 2,203.3 mm. Kollam recorded a 30% deficit, with 719.6 mm against 1,031 mm, while Alappuzha sawa 25% deficit, receiving 1,031.7 mm against 1,370.7 mm. Palakkad received 1,037.1 mm, 23% below its normal of 1,349.2 mm. Thrissur recordeda 22% deficit, with 1,425.2 mm against 1,838.3 mm, and Malappuram registereda 20% deficit, receiving 1,369.1 mm against 1,702.3 mm. Ernakulam recordeda 19% deficit, with 1,454 mm against 1,796.1 mm.

Several districts, however, recorded rainfall in the normal category. Kannur received 2,194 mm against its normal of 2,349.7 mm, a deficit of seven per cent, while Kasaragod recorded 2,254.8 mm against 2,576.8 mm, a 12% deficit. Kozhikode received 2,023.6 mm against 2,273.2 mm, an 11% deficit. Kottayam recorded 1,515.5 mm against 1,610.4 mm, a six per cent deficit. Pathanamthitta received 1,293.3 mm against 1,321.5 mm, a two per cent deficit, while Thiruvananthapuram recorded 661.6 mm against 666.3 mm, just one per cent below normal.

Lakshadweep also recorded deficient rainfall during the period, receiving 635.1 mm against its normal of 856.9 mm, a deficit of 26%. Mahe received 1,806 mm against its normal of 2,128 mm, a 15% deficit, but was classified as having normal rainfall.

Context and forecast

The southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala around June 1. The India Meteorological Department had forecast below-normal rainfall for the 2026 monsoon season, a prediction that aligns with the season's overall shortfall.