New Delhi: India has recorded its fifth driest June since rainfall records began in 1901, raising fresh concerns about agriculture, water availability and food production as the southwest monsoon made one of its weakest starts in recent history. According to the India Meteorological Department, the country received only 99.5 millimetres of rainfall during June, far below the long period average of 165.3 millimetres. This left the country with a rainfall deficit of nearly 40 percent for the month.
The southwest monsoon is the backbone of India's agriculture, providing around 70 percent of the country's annual rainfall. Nearly half of India's farmland depends entirely on seasonal rains rather than irrigation. A delayed or weak monsoon can directly affect crop production, rural incomes, food prices and the overall economy.
The monsoon reached Kerala three days later than its normal arrival date before gradually moving northward. However, after its initial advance, the rain bearing system stalled over large parts of western and central India for almost two weeks. This long pause reduced rainfall across many farming regions during the crucial sowing season for summer crops.
Weather experts said June 2026 now ranks among the driest starts to the monsoon in more than 125 years. Historical records show that only four other years since 1901 received less rainfall during June than this year. Meteorologists also noted that several of those years were influenced by El Niño weather conditions, which often weaken India's monsoon by warming the Pacific Ocean and disrupting normal rainfall patterns.
The weak monsoon has already slowed planting across several important crops. Government data shows that the total area under kharif crop cultivation is significantly lower than the same period last year. Rice planting has declined sharply as farmers wait for adequate soil moisture before sowing their fields.
Soybean has recorded one of the biggest declines in planting, while cotton and maize cultivation have also fallen considerably. Sugarcane remains the only major crop to show a modest increase in planted area. Agricultural experts believe that if rainfall improves during July, many farmers may still be able to complete sowing without major losses.
The delayed rains have also extended the intense summer heat across northern and central India. Several states continued to experience temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius during June as cloud cover remained limited. The prolonged heat has increased demand for electricity and water while putting additional pressure on reservoirs and groundwater resources.
In many parts of the country, farmers have postponed planting and are waiting for steady rainfall before beginning field work. Some regions have reported declining reservoir levels, while local authorities have urged residents to use water carefully until rainfall improves.
The central government has already prepared contingency plans for hundreds of districts that are considered vulnerable to poor rainfall. Agricultural officials have advised farmers in rain deficient areas to use short duration crop varieties, expand cultivation of pulses and millets where suitable and adopt better water conservation practices. States have also been encouraged to restore ponds, repair irrigation structures and improve rainwater harvesting to reduce the impact of delayed rainfall.
Despite the weak beginning, weather officials remain cautiously optimistic about the coming weeks. The India Meteorological Department has forecast a significant increase in rainfall during early July, with widespread showers expected across northwest, central, eastern and northeastern India. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in several states as the monsoon regains strength.
Meteorologists say a stronger July could help farmers recover much of the lost planting time and improve soil moisture levels. Past experience has shown that a poor June does not always result in a weak monsoon season, provided rainfall remains active through July and August.
India currently has comfortable stocks of rice and wheat, which may help reduce immediate concerns over food supplies even if crop planting remains slower than usual. However, economists say prolonged rainfall shortages could eventually affect agricultural output, push up food inflation and slow rural economic growth if weather conditions fail to improve.
For now, attention remains focused on the progress of the southwest monsoon during July, which will play a decisive role in determining the success of this year's farming season and the overall outlook for India's agriculture and economy.