With the southwest monsoon stalled over southern Maharashtra, India is facing a nationwide rainfall deficit of 41% between June 4 and June 18, according to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. The country has received just 42.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 72.2 mm during the above-mentioned period.
Also read: What a ‘super’ El Niño would mean for India’s monsoon
The weather department said on Thursday (June 18, 2026) that “the absence of favourable large-scale meteorological conditions” was the key reason why the southwest monsoon has failed to advance further into the remaining parts of Maharashtra in the past few days. The IMD on Thursday (June 18) forecast heavy to very heavy rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of West Bengal for the next one week, though precipitation has largely eluded the southern districts despite the monsoon having officially entered the region.
While a rainfall deficit in June, the first of the monsoon months, is not unusual, it assumes additional significance in a year that forecasters globally have warned will likely be a ‘Super El Niño’ year.
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6 days ago
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