Pune, 16th June 2026: India has received 22.8% below-normal rainfall during this season of southwest monsoon between June 1 and July 15. The latest data from India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that rainfall has remained deficient across all four meteorological regions, raising concerns over the uneven progress of the monsoon.
Among the regions, East and Northeast India have recorded the steepest rainfall deficit at 35.6% below normal. South India has received 25.6% less rainfall, while Northwest India is 18.5% below normal. Central India, despite witnessing spells of heavy rain in recent weeks, continues to report a 13.3% rainfall deficit.
The figures show that the monsoon has remained inconsistent, with rainfall concentrated in a few pockets while large parts of the country continue to receive below-average precipitation.
The uneven nature of the monsoon is also visible across Maharashtra. While parts of Konkan have received near-normal rainfall, several districts in Marathwada and Vidarbha continue to report significant deficits.
According to IMD data, Ratnagiri has received 1,239 mm rainfall, just 7.8% below normal, while Chandrapur recorded 357 mm, only 5.2% below normal. However, Akola (-38.5%), Yavatmal (-22.5%), Wardha (-24.8%), Nagpur (-25%), Parbhani (-46.1%), Nanded (-48.7%), and Solapur (-31.9%) continue to remain well below their seasonal averages.
Despite the nationwide deficit, a few urban centres have witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall.
Between June 1 and July 15, Pune district recorded 545.8 mm rainfall, or 194.2% of its normal rainfall for the period, according to IMD. Mumbai's Santacruz observatory has received 1,563.4 mm rainfall, which is 62.2% above normal.
These figures underline the highly uneven distribution of this year's monsoon, with intense rainfall confined to select regions while many parts of the country continue to await sustained showers.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall over Konkan-Goa and isolated parts of Central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha over the next three to four days. Pune and surrounding areas are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with light rain likely.
A low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, adjoining the coasts of North Odisha and West Bengal, is expected to strengthen rainfall activity over East and Northeast India, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the western Himalayan region during the next seven days.
Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Odisha on July 16 and 17.
The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for Pune, Satara, the ghat areas of Satara, Sangli, Solapur and Dharashiv for Thursday, warning of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
Strong winds of 40-60 kmph are also likely at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra, while winds of 60-80 kmph may affect parts of Tamil Nadu and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands over the coming days.