The ministry has classified these districts according to irrigation coverage, which determines their ability to withstand rainfall shocks. Among the 315 districts, 111 districts with irrigation coverage below 25 per cent have been categorised as the most vulnerable. Another 76 districts with irrigation coverage between 25 and 50 per cent have been placed in the medium-vulnerability category, while 128 districts with irrigation coverage exceeding 50 per cent have been considered relatively less vulnerable.
Most of the highly vulnerable districts are concentrated in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Vulnerable districts are also spread across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Reports indicate that nearly 20 districts in Maharashtra alone fall within the highest-risk category.
The district-wise rainfall departure map for the period from June 1 to June 24 shows that much of the country is covered in yellow and orange shades, indicating normal to deficient rainfall conditions across a large number of districts. Deficient rainfall is particularly visible across parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana and Karnataka.
In contrast, only a few pockets, mainly in western Rajasthan, parts of the northeastern region and isolated districts elsewhere, have recorded excess or significantly above-normal rainfall. The rainfall pattern indicates that although the southwest monsoon has advanced across the country, its distribution remains uneven, leaving several agriculturally important regions vulnerable to moisture stress during the critical sowing period.
Several districts in the affected states have already been marked under deficient or severely deficient categories, suggesting that some of the regions identified by the Centre are already experiencing rainfall stress. Meanwhile, parts of western Rajasthan and a few pockets in northern India have received normal to excess rainfall.
To minimise the impact of a weak monsoon, the Centre has advised states to encourage farmers to shift towards pulses, millets and oilseeds, which are considered more drought-resistant than water-intensive crops. States have also been asked to promote short-duration crop varieties capable of maturing within a shorter growing season if rainfall remains erratic.
Crop diversification, moisture conservation and efficient water management have been identified as critical strategies to address the challenge. The government has further directed states to strengthen water conservation efforts through the repair of ponds, rejuvenation of check dams, desilting of canals and expansion of water-harvesting infrastructure.
At the institutional level, an El Nino Monitoring Cell and a Crop Weather Watch Group have been established to track rainfall patterns, crop conditions and sowing progress in real time.
The emerging threat posed by uneven rainfall and possible El Nino conditions has raised concerns over agricultural productivity during the kharif season. With hundreds of districts already under watch, the effectiveness of contingency plans and water conservation measures will be crucial in safeguarding crops and protecting farmers from the impact of prolonged moisture stress.
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