Why first monsoon drought in 11 years left India dry, and wet
India is experiencing its first deficient monsoon season since 2015, with the India Meteorological Department classifying the rainfall as a drought. The shortfall is largely attributed to a strong El Niño event that weakened monsoon wind circulation.
Why it matters
Monsoon performance is the backbone of India's agricultural economy and water security; a drought has direct implications for food prices and rural livelihoods.
Despite a late burst of heavy rain, the 2026 southwest monsoon is shaping up to be India’s driest in 11 years. Last week’s deep depression brought widespread rain to parts of east, northeast, central and north India, cutting the season’s deficit from 15% to around 12% in a span of four-five days. But the monsoon is still set to be India’s first deficient season since 2015 and among the 10 weakest monsoons since Independence.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies a seasonal rainfall deficit of 10% or more as ‘deficient’, its lowest rainfall category, commonly described as a monsoon drought.The significance of this year’s rainfall deficit becomes clearer against the recent past. Five of the last seven monsoons produced either excess or above-normal rainfall.
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