IMD forecasts ‘below normal’ rainfall in August
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts below-normal rainfall for August, projecting precipitation to be less than 94% of the long-period average. The report also notes that El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen, potentially impacting the remainder of the monsoon season.
Why it matters
Accurate monsoon forecasting is critical for India's agricultural sector and water management strategies.
India is likely to receive below-normal rainfall during August, with precipitation expected to be less than 94% of the long-period average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday (July 31, 2026).
The forecast also projects below-normal rainfall during the second half of the southwest monsoon season (August–September), although some parts of peninsular India, central, eastern, and northeastern India, and the northern parts of the northwest could receive normal to above-normal rainfall.
The below-normal rainfall in August is likely in many parts of the country, except over much of eastern peninsular India, some parts of northwest and central India, and isolated areas of eastern and northeastern India, where normal to above-normal rainfall is possible. Maximum temperatures during the month are expected to remain above normal across most of the country, while minimum temperatures are likely to be normal to above normal across most regions.
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