The India Meteorological Department said most parts of the country would see “below normal” rains, except for some areas of northeast, southern peninsula and northwest India. Photo: X/@Indiametdept
India is staring at a “subnormal” southwest monsoon, the India Meteorological Department warned for the first time in 11 years in its April forecast. Between the monsoon months of June-September, India is likely to receive only 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA) of 87 cm this monsoon, M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, said at a press conference on Monday.
India last saw reduced monsoon rainfall in 2023, when the IMD warned of “near normal” rainfall at 96% of the LPA. In 2015, the IMD’s warning of sub-normal rainfall – at 93% LPA – proved to be an understatement. Actual rainfall was recorded at 86%, ending up as one of India’s worst dry years.
Published – 13 Apr 2026 17:44 IST
