India Faces Lowest June Rainfall in Five Years: Impacts and Predictions

India recorded the highest June rainfall deficit in five years, with 147.2 mm against a normal of 165.3 mm. Northeast India faced significant deficits, with south India seeing surplus rains. The monsoon season's critical role in agriculture and reservoir replenishment makes this deficit particularly concerning.

India has recorded its most significant June rainfall deficit in five years, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) disclosed on Monday. The country received 147.2 mm of rain, falling short of the normal 165.3 mm, marking the seventh lowest total since 2001.

This shortfall represents 15 per cent of the total precipitation for the four-month monsoon season and has far-reaching implications. The monsoon made an early start but lost momentum, delaying rain in several key regions and exacerbating the effects of a severe heat wave in northwest India.

IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra reported that 16 days of below-normal rainfall activity from June 11 to June 27 led to an overall precipitation deficit. While southwest India recorded surplus rain, the north, central, and northeast regions faced significant shortages. This discrepancy poses challenges given the monsoon's critical role in agriculture, drinking water, and power generation reservoirs.