The imagery highlights vast cloudless zones stretching over Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and interior Karnataka. These regions, traditionally dependent on early monsoon rains, now appear exposed under clear skies, pointing to a near-total breakdown in active monsoon advancement across central and western India.
Meteorological analysis indicates that organized storm systems and rain-bearing cloud bands have been displaced away from the mainland. Instead of spreading across the Indian peninsula, these systems are now largely concentrated over the Bay of Bengal, Northeast India, and the equatorial Indian Ocean, leaving the interior regions deprived of essential moisture inflow.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department, India recorded only 39.7 millimeters of rainfall between June 4 and June 17, compared to the long-period average of 65.9 millimeters. This reflects a national rainfall deficit of approximately 40 percent, underscoring the severity of the current monsoon slowdown during its critical onset phase.
Regional deviations further highlight the uneven distribution of rainfall. Gujarat has registered a 98 percent deficit, indicating an almost complete failure of early monsoon showers. Meghalaya has recorded an 85 percent shortfall, Maharashtra 79 percent, Jharkhand 66 percent, and Chhattisgarh 65 percent, all pointing to widespread precipitation failure across key agricultural and ecological zones.
In West Bengal, meteorological conditions indicate that a weak monsoon is likely to prolong oppressive heat conditions in the southern districts despite the system’s advancement into parts of the state. The India Meteorological Department has stated that the southwest monsoon remains active over sub-Himalayan districts, where heavy rainfall is expected over the coming week.
However, southern West Bengal is forecast to receive only isolated light rainfall until June 19, followed by more widespread showers on June 20 and June 21. In response to persistent heat conditions, the state administration has revised school timings, shifting all state-run and aided educational institutions to morning hours to reduce exposure to extreme daytime temperatures.
Amid concerns over potential El Niño influence, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has emphasized the need for advance contingency planning in rain-deficient districts. During a high-level weekly agriculture review meeting held at Krishi Bhawan, comprehensive discussions were conducted on national preparedness for the Kharif 2026 agricultural season, with a focus on expanding acreage under cotton and pulses to mitigate rainfall risks.
The unfolding monsoon irregularity, combined with significant regional rainfall deficits and shifting storm patterns, underscores a critical phase of climatic stress for India’s agricultural economy, raising concerns over crop planning, water security, and seasonal productivity across vulnerable regions.
About The Author
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comment List