Monsoon Retreat Begins, India Ends Season With 15% Rainfall Deficit
What Happened
India's southwest monsoon has begun retreating from parts of West Rajasthan, with nationwide rainfall remaining 15% below normal. The deficit has been most severe in the South Peninsula (28%) and East & Northeast India (26%). Water levels in major reservoirs stood at 70.99% of capacity, compared with the normal 79.06%, leaving storage levels about 9% below average.
Key Takeaways
The weak monsoon, influenced by developing El Niño conditions, has left several states facing water stress. Southern India remains the most affected region, with reservoir levels nearly 30 percentage points below normal, raising concerns for water supply and agriculture even as the monsoon season draws to a close.