Pune, 1st October 2026: India recorded 759.4 mm of rainfall during the 2026 southwest monsoon season (June–September), amounting to 87% of the Long Period Average (LPA). According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this was the fourth-lowest monsoon rainfall since 2001 and the 13th-lowest since 1901.
The rainfall distribution varied considerably across the country. Of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, 18, covering 53% of the country's geographical area, received normal rainfall, while 17 subdivisions, accounting for 42% of the area, recorded deficient rainfall. Odisha was the only subdivision to experience excess rainfall, covering 5% of the country's total area.
The country recorded varying rainfall levels during the four months of the southwest monsoon season. June received only 65% of its LPA, while July recorded 101%, indicating normal rainfall. Rainfall declined to 84% of LPA in August before recovering slightly to 92% in September.
Despite the relatively good rainfall in July, the overall seasonal rainfall remained below normal, mainly due to the shortfall during June, August and September.
The IMD has forecast below-normal rainfall across most parts of India in October 2026, with the country's monthly rainfall likely to remain below 85% of its LPA.
However, some areas of northwest India, southern peninsular India and isolated parts of eastern India may receive normal to above-normal rainfall. The forecast indicates considerable regional variation in rainfall during the month.
For the October–December period, the IMD has forecast normal rainfall, ranging from 88% to 112% of LPA, over south peninsular India. The forecast covers five meteorological subdivisions: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal; Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam; Rayalaseema; Kerala and Mahe; and South Interior Karnataka.
The IMD has also forecast above-normal maximum temperatures across most parts of India during October. Normal maximum temperatures are expected in parts of northeast India and isolated areas of central and northwest India.
Minimum temperatures are also likely to remain above normal across most of the country. However, most parts of northeast India are expected to experience normal to below-normal minimum temperatures.
The October outlook indicates that much of the country is likely to experience below-normal rainfall alongside above-normal temperatures, while southern peninsular India is expected to receive normal rainfall during the October–December period.