Which Indian states are still suffering from drought amid the monsoon season

Despite the presence of monsoon rainfall in the country, the distribution of rain is uneven across all states. Between June 4 and August 10, the country recorded 12% less precipitation than normal. During this period, 465.9 millimeters of rain were registered, compared to an expected 527.2 millimeters.

The situation varies greatly among different states: some received more than the normal amount of precipitation, while many regions experienced insufficient rainfall. The largest deficit was noted in Meghalaya, which received 56% less rainfall than usual. Similarly low figures were recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Bihar, where the deficit was 36%. Furthermore, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa recorded a 35% decrease in rainfall.

Meghalaya, known for its rains, faced a significant reduction in precipitation this season. From June 4 to August 10, it received 763.1 millimeters, whereas the average is 1,739.6 millimeters, corresponding to a 56% decrease. Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur also show a 36% deficit, and Bihar has a 36% deficit.

Bihar, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh are also lagging behind the norm: Bihar recorded a 36% decrease, while Punjab and Andhra Pradesh saw a 35% decrease. Goa also noted a 35% reduction in rainfall. If the lack of rain continues, it could negatively affect agriculture and water availability, making upcoming rains crucial for these states.

While many states face rainfall shortages, Odisha experienced heavy precipitation. By August 10, it had recorded 857.8 millimeters of rain, exceeding the usual level of 668.7 millimeters, which is 28% more than normal. This was due to frequent low-pressure systems in Odisha. For instance, on August 8, a low-pressure area formed over South Gangetic Bengal and northern Odisha, after which rainfall in Odisha intensified.

The monsoon season is not yet over; the southwest monsoon continues until September 30. This means that rainfall data may change soon. According to meteorological service forecasts, rain is possible in many parts of central, eastern, northeastern, and northwestern India in the coming days. Increased rainfall is also expected in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and some areas of the northeast. There is a possibility of another low-pressure area forming by August 12 north of the Bay of Bengal, which could lead to increased rainfall in central and eastern India. However, even heavy rain over several days cannot fully compensate for the overall deficit; prolonged and abundant rainfall is needed in many areas. Currently, the monsoon is progressing well in many states, but Meghalaya and Bihar are still awaiting rain.

www.aajtak.inAugust 5, 04:46

Weather: Heavy rains expected in various states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; flash flood warnings issued in mountains

The pace of the monsoon season in the country remains slower than normal, with a recorded decrease in precipitation of 12 percent so far. Nevertheless, the morning in Delhi-NCR began with drizzling rain typical of the Sawan season. The Meteorological Department forecasts that intense rains will continue for the next week in many regions, especially in the northeastern, eastern, and some southern parts of the country.

The Meteorological Department (IMD) is closely monitoring the situation in several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Telangana. IMD has issued warnings for heavy and very heavy rainfall for 50 districts in the eastern and western parts of the capital, Uttar Pradesh, starting from Wednesday until Friday. A warning for strong winds up to 40 kilometers per hour and thunderstorms has also been issued in about 36 districts.

According to IMD data, heavy or very heavy rains may be observed in the northeastern and adjacent eastern districts over the next two days. It is predicted that heavy rain will continue in several places for another five days. On August 5, Assam and Meghalaya are expected to receive 21 centimeters or more of rainfall. From August 5 to 10, extensive rains are forecast in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Additionally, good and very heavy rains may occur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in the Gangetic plains of West Bengal, in Odisha, as well as in the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal and Sikkim. Heavy rains are expected in Jharkhand from August 5 to 8 and on August 10, while in Bihar, on August 5 and 6. Heavy precipitation is also possible in several locations in Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and inland South Karnataka over the next three days.

Given the heavy rainfall, IMD has issued a low to moderate flash flood warning for the next 24 hours for the northeastern districts, the foothills of West Bengal, Sikkim, and some parts of the Western Himalayas. All districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Sikkim are on high alert. Many districts of Assam and Meghalaya, including Kokrajhar, Bongigaon, Dubri, Kamrup Raman, Daring, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, as well as Hasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills, are also included in the warning zone. In Manipur, the districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Thoubal, Chandel, and Churachandpur have been warned, and in Nagaland, Kohima, Dimapur, Phak, Tuensang, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, and Mon.

Furthermore, the risk of flash floods is also predicted for some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand. Warnings have been issued for the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh; Doda, Kathua, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir; and Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Champawat, and Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand. The Meteorological Department has urged people to exercise extra caution in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams, and in landslide-prone zones, and to monitor local weather updates.

In Himachal Pradesh, no quick relief from the rains is expected either. According to Sandeep Sharma, a scientist from the Shimla meteorological center, the monsoon season will remain active in the state for the next five to six days, with light or moderate, and in some places heavy, rains possible until August 7. Rain is forecasted to continue in the mid-mountain and plain areas on August 8 and 9. According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rains are likely in the districts of Kangra and Mandi on August 5, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan, and Sirmaur on August 6, and Kangra, Chamba, and Mandi on August 7. Visibility in some parts of Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur may be significantly reduced due to dense clouds and heavy rain.

According to the July monsoon data, Himachal Pradesh recorded 6 percent more rainfall than normal. The maximum increase was noted in Kullu, where rainfall increased by 62 percent, while Hamirpur and Leh-Spiti recorded a decrease of 43 percent. However, over the entire monsoon season from June 1 to August 3, the state saw an overall decrease in precipitation of 9 percent. Sandeep Sharma noted that despite the intermittent nature of the rainfall, no significant drop in temperature is expected. Maximum temperatures in Shimla and Manali will be 20–22 degrees Celsius, in Solan and Dharamshala—28–30 degrees, and in Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, and Pauri Sahib—from 32 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Which Indian states are still suffering from drought amid the monsoon season

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Weather: Heavy rains expected in various states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; flash flood warnings issued in mountains