July deficit wiped out, but monsoon has brought 16% less rain till now
Heavy rainfall in Gujarat has eliminated the July monsoon deficit for India, though the country remains 16% below normal for the cumulative season. Regional disparities persist, with East and Northeast India continuing to face significant rainfall shortfalls.
Why it matters
Monsoon performance is critical for India's agricultural output and water security, making these meteorological updates vital for the economy.
A spell of exceptionally heavy rainfall over Gujarat, aided by a low-pressure system that tracked westward from the Bay of Bengal and its interaction with a western disturbance, has virtually wiped out India’s rainfall deficit for July – the most important monsoon month – even as large parts of the Northeast continue to remain rainfall-deficient.
As of July 24, rainfall across the country for July stood at 215.5 mm against a normal of 215 mm — eliminating the monthly deficit after a dry start to the month. However, cumulative rainfall for the monsoon season from June 1 to July 24 remained 16.1% below normal nationwide, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. In percentage terms, East and Northeast India (E&NE) continued to be the worst-performing region with a seasonal deficit of 31.9%, while South Peninsular India recorded a 26.8% shortfall.
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