Southwest monsoon rainfall in Karnataka is second lowest in 70 years and seventh lowest in 125 years
Karnataka is facing a severe drought after recording its second-lowest southwest monsoon rainfall in 70 years. With 209 out of 240 taluks reporting rainfall deficits, the state's agricultural sector is under significant strain.
Why it matters
The data underscores a critical environmental and economic crisis, as the state relies heavily on the monsoon for its agricultural output and water security.
The rainfall received by Karnataka during the southwest monsoon (SWM) is the second lowest in the last 70 years (after 1956) and the seventh lowest in the last 125 years (after 1901), shows data, pointing to the severity of the drought. The year 2002, which had the lowest SWM rainfall since 1956, had received just 10 mm less than 2026.
As against the normal rainfall of 852 mm for the SWM period from June to September, the State received only 551 mm, reporting a shortage of 35%.
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