- Central and western states have received less rainfall
- 315 districts are likely to witness less rainfall this year
- IMD has issued heavy rain alert for the coastal states till July 10
Monsoon 2026 News Update: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday confirmed that the monsoon has arrived in the central states of the country. In a detailed advisory, the weather department stated that several states, including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jharkhand, are likely to witness heavy rain, along with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning. The residents have been advised to follow the guidelines and limit their outings during the rainy activities.
States With Excess Rainfall
As the monsoon progresses in the central and northern zones, multiple states have witnessed excess or large amounts of excess rainfall till now. The rainfall has broken previous records in Rajasthan as the state witnessed up to 154 per cent to 187 per cent above normal rain in the early days of June. Apart from this, the coastal regions of the southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, also received heavy rainfall.
The northeastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Assam also experienced heavy rain in the past few days, leading to waterlogging and remarkable damage to the infrastructure.
States Facing Rainfall Deficit
Amid the concerns regarding the El Niño effect, the government has identified 315 districts across the country that are likely to receive below-normal rainfall. While most of the highly vulnerable districts belonged to Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, several other states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, are also expected to witness less than normal rain.
IMD's Latest Long-Range Forecast
As per the weather department, the coastal regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall till July 2. Apart from this, the northeastern states, especially Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, are expected to witness similar weather conditions. However, the western states, including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, are likely to witness very little rainfall for the next seven days.
Apart from this, most parts of the nation will witness moderate to heavy rainfall from July 2 to July 10, the IMD stated. It stated that the central, coastal, and northeastern states are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall during this phase.
Impact on Crops And Water Reservoirs
The Indian farmers are largely dependent on the monsoon for the growth of the Kharif crops and maintenance of the groundwater levels. However, the farmers of several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, are likely to face severe issues due to less rainfall. The government has suggested the farmers shift towards the water-resilient crops such as pulses, millets, and oilseeds.
Conclusion
While the monsoon has advanced in the central and northern regions, the western states, apart from Rajasthan, have received less than usual rainfall. Less rain is likely to directly affect the crop productivity, potentially leading to shortages and price rises. However, the weather department has stated that most of the states are expected to witness light to heavy rainfall till July 10, providing relief from the heat.