Ongoing story
Southwest monsoon 2026 ends with 13 percent rainfall deficit, worst since 2015
2 updates, 20 September 2026 to 1 October 2026.
- 20 September 2026:
Southwest monsoon begins retreat even as 43 percent of India remains rain deficient
The India Meteorological Department said on 19 September 2026 that the southwest monsoon has begun withdrawing from parts of west Rajasthan, close to the climatological normal withdrawal date of 17 September, even as nearly 43 percent of the country's geographical area remains in a rainfall deficit. The withdrawal line has passed through Rajasthan's Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi and Khajuwala areas and is expected to advance across more of Rajasthan, Punjab and Kutch-Saurashtra over the next three to four days. Seasonal rainfall as of 19 September stood 15 percent below normal at 695.6 millimetres nationwide, with Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar among the worst affected states.
- 1 October 2026:
Southwest monsoon 2026 ends with 13 percent rainfall deficit, worst since 2015
The India Meteorological Department said on 30 September 2026 that the southwest monsoon ended the season with all India cumulative rainfall at 87 percent of the long period average, the lowest since 2015 and the fourth lowest since 2001. Cumulative rainfall between June and September was around 759.4 mm against a normal of about 868.6 mm, with the southern and eastern parts of the country worst affected under the influence of El Nino at 76 percent and 74 percent of normal respectively. Reservoir levels in southern India stood at 50 percent of live storage capacity as of 24 September against a national figure of 79 percent, and the IMD forecast below normal rainfall for October as well, with El Nino expected to peak in November.