Fourth-lowest since 2001: Rainfall 13% below normal

NEW DELHI: India recorded its fourth-lowest southwest monsoon rainfall since 2001, with precipitation ending 13% below normal this year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The uneven rainfall distribution left large parts of the country facing a deficit, raising concerns over agricultural output and water availability for the upcoming rabi season. The country received 759.4 mm of rainfall between June and September, equivalent to 87% of its long-period average (LPA). This was also the 13th-lowest monsoon rainfall recorded since 1901, IMD said in its end-of-season assessment on Wednesday.

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The southern peninsula and East and Northeast India were particularly affected, receiving just 76% and 74% of their respective normal rainfall. East and Northeast India recorded 1,017.1 mm of rainfall, its lowest since 1901, while the southern peninsula received 542 mm, its fourth-lowest rainfall in 125 years. Central India, however, received normal rainfall at 97% of its LPA, while northwest India recorded 94.1%.

Of the country's 36 meteorological subdivisions, 17 recorded deficient rainfall, covering 42% of India's geographical area. Another 18 subdivisions, accounting for 53% of the area, received normal rainfall. Odisha was the only subdivision to record excess rainfall. The monsoon's performance was particularly weak in June, when rainfall was just 65% of normal. Rainfall recovered to 101% of LPA in July before slipping to 84% in August and 92% in September.

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The monsoon core zone, comprising much of India's rain-fed agricultural belt, received 779.9 mm of rainfall, marginally below the lower threshold of the normal range of 782.8-881.2 mm. The rainfall deficit and its uneven distribution have raised concerns over crop yields in rainfed areas and soil moisture availability for winter crops.