September rainfall to be below-normal, says IMD
The India Meteorological Department forecasts below-normal rainfall for September following a record-breaking hot August. The dry conditions are attributed to the ongoing El Niño effect, which has contributed to temperature spikes across the country.
Why it matters
Predicting monsoon patterns is critical for India's agricultural sector and water management strategies, especially during periods of climate volatility.
India is likely to experience below-normal rainfall in September, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday (August 31, 2026) forecasting rainfall across the country to be at least 9% short of the long-period average of 167.9 mm. This comes after India experienced the hottest August since 1901.
Many parts of the country are expected to remain drier than normal, although parts of northwest, northeast, east, east-central India and isolated areas of southeast peninsular India could receive “normal to above-normal rainfall”.
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