Indian monsoon flipping: Rajasthan receives most rain, Meghalaya sees deficit

India Today

3 days ago

As July draws to a close, India is approaching the midpoint of the monsoon season. It is a critical period for the country's agriculture, water resources, and overall climate patterns.The rainfall distribution so far in 2025 has shown marked disparities across different states, creating both concerns and optimism depending on the region.Dramatically, this year the rainfall pattern has been notably uneven, with significant deficits reported in many regions, especially in the northeastern states traditionally known for heavy monsoon showers.advertisement
Several states in the eastern part of India are experiencing alarming shortfalls. Meghalaya, often considered one of the wettest places on Earth, stands out with an extraordinary 56% rainfall deficit so far.Similarly, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, and Sikkim are all facing rainfall shortages exceeding 40%. This unexpected dryness is raising concerns about the potential impact on agriculture, water supply, and the overall ecosystem in these areas.Delhi, the country's national capital territory in the north, is also experiencing a rainfall deficit of 26%, making it the only northern region facing such a significant shortfall. States with more than 25% rainfall deficit as of July 28 include Bihar (-43%), Arunachal Pradesh (-45%), Assam (-41%), Meghalaya (-56%), Sikkim (-31%), and Delhi (-26%).Meanwhile, several other states have recorded less than normal rainfall but have not crossed the 25% deficit threshold. These include Manipur (-18%), West Bengal (-1%), Nagaland (-4%), Andhra Pradesh (-14%), Tamil Nadu (-8%), Kerala (-6%), Telangana (-1%), Punjab (-6%), Uttar Pradesh (-8%), and Jammu and Kashmir (-10%).WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE INDIAN MONSOON?While the nation's traditionally wettest regions are grappling with rainfall deficits, many states known for their arid conditions are experiencing significantly higher-than-normal precipitation.This paradox highlights the growing challenges posed by climate variability and may signal broader shifts in monsoon behaviour.Rajasthan, famously recognised as one of India's driest states, has surprisingly topped the rainfall charts with an astounding 92% excess rainfall so far this season.Similarly, Gujarat, another arid region, has recorded 35% more rainfall than usual. These excessive rains are contrary to the usual climatic expectations for these areas.Likewise, Jharkhand, which shares borders with drought-affected Bihar, has received 53% above-normal rainfall, while Bihar continues to suffer from drought-like conditions. Central Madhya Pradesh, a core monsoon zone, has also experienced an impressive 54% rainfall surplus. On the other hand, traditionally rain-dependent areas like Bihar face alarming water shortages, emphasising the uneven and unpredictable nature of rainfall this year. Other states such as Himachal Pradesh (5% excess), Haryana (11%), Uttarakhand (no significant change), Mizoram (6%), Odisha (15%), Chhattisgarh (15%), Maharashtra (6%), Karnataka (14%), and Goa (3%) have seen relatively modest gains in rainfall, ranging from 0 to 25% above normal.These contrasting rainfall patterns, especially the surplus in dry regions and the deficit in wet regions, are significant.advertisementThey challenge long-established weather norms and point toward climate anomalies that could impact agriculture, water resources, and overall livelihoods.Experts suggest that these anomalies may be early indicators of shifting climate patterns influenced by global warming and atmospheric changes.- EndsMust Watch