India Monsoon 13% Deficient as Haryana, Bihar and Andhra Face Major Rainfall Gaps

India's southwest monsoon remains 13% below normal, but the overall rainfall deficit masks major differences in precipitation across states and regions.

Between June 4, when the monsoon arrived, and August 21, India received 537.6 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 619 mm, according to rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department.

While some parts of the country have received above-normal rainfall, several states continue to face significant deficits, highlighting the uneven progress of the 2026 monsoon season.

Haryana, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab Face Major Rainfall Deficits

Several states remain substantially below their normal seasonal rainfall levels.

Haryana has recorded a rainfall deficit of 45%, while Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are both 40% below normal. Punjab has reported a 32% deficit, while Karnataka remains 25% below its normal rainfall.

In contrast, Odisha has received 25% above-normal rainfall, while Jammu and Kashmir has recorded rainfall 6% above normal.

The uneven distribution of rainfall has become one of the defining features of India's southwest monsoon in 2026, with repeated rain-bearing systems benefiting some regions more than others.

Heavy Rainfall Forecast for Central and Eastern India

A fresh active weather phase is expected to bring widespread rainfall to several parts of central and eastern India.

East Madhya Pradesh is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations during August 21 and 22.

Chhattisgarh is expected to witness fairly widespread to widespread rainfall until August 26, with isolated heavy spells. West Madhya Pradesh may also receive heavy rainfall at isolated places through August 25.

Odisha is likely to remain wet until August 26, with widespread rainfall expected across several areas. Heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated locations during August 21-22 and again between August 24 and 26.

Jharkhand may receive widespread rainfall from August 22 to August 26, while Bihar is expected to experience an active monsoon phase between August 22 and 25, including isolated heavy rainfall.

Northeast India to Continue Receiving Heavy Rain

Several parts of Northeast India are also expected to remain under an active rainfall spell.

Assam and Meghalaya may receive heavy rainfall at isolated places through August 27. Arunachal Pradesh is also likely to experience heavy rainfall during the ongoing weather system, including between August 23 and 27.

Heavy Rain Alert for Parts of North India

The latest weather system is also expected to bring significant rainfall to parts of northern India.

West Uttar Pradesh may receive isolated heavy rainfall, while East Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness fairly widespread rainfall between August 22 and 25, with heavy spells possible at isolated locations.

Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are also expected to experience heavy rainfall during the active weather phase.

Meanwhile, Konkan and Goa are likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall through August 27, with several parts of Maharashtra also expected to remain under an active monsoon spell.

The latest forecast indicates that central, eastern, northeastern and parts of northern India could receive significant rainfall in the coming days. However, a few days of heavy rain may not be enough to eliminate the broader monsoon deficit, particularly in states that continue to remain substantially below their normal seasonal rainfall levels.

As the southwest monsoon enters its final phase, the distribution of rainfall across states will remain crucial in determining how much of the seasonal deficit can be reduced before the monsoon withdraws from the country.