August Rainfall 16% Below Normal, Deepening India's Monsoon Deficit
India's August rainfall was 16% below average, the lowest in three years, widening the seasonal monsoon deficit to 14%.
India's monsoon season took a significant hit in August, with rainfall registering 16% below the long-period average — the weakest August performance in three years. The shortfall, driven by the ongoing El Nino weather pattern, has further strained the country's seasonal water supply.
Data compiled by the India Meteorological Department shows that the August deficit has pushed the cumulative monsoon rainfall shortfall for the season to 14%, up from 13% recorded at the end of July. This widening gap underscores the uneven distribution of rains across the country.
The El Nino phenomenon, characterized by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, typically suppresses monsoon activity over the Indian subcontinent. Meteorologists have been tracking its impact closely, as the monsoon is critical for agriculture, reservoir levels, and the broader economy.
The latest figures highlight the challenges facing farmers and water managers as the season progresses, with the deficit now firmly entrenched in double digits.