India has experienced one of its driest Junes in over a century, with June 2026 recording the fifth-lowest rainfall since 1901 as the southwest monsoon remained weak and delayed across much of the country.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country received only 99.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 30, compared to the normal 165.3 mm, resulting in an overall rainfall deficit of 40%.
IMD data shows that only four years—2009 (87.6 mm), 1905 (91.9 mm), 2014 (92.8 mm), and 1926 (96.7 mm)—recorded lower June rainfall totals than 2026.
The prolonged dry spell has begun affecting agricultural activity, with kharif sowing slowing considerably in several states due to inadequate soil moisture. At the same time, heatwave conditions persisted across large parts of north and central India as the monsoon struggled to advance inland.
Central India was the worst-affected region, receiving just 84.4 mm of rainfall against a normal 170.3 mm, leaving a deficit of 50%. Northwest India recorded a 31% shortfall, while the southern peninsula remained 27% below normal.
Several states reported severe rainfall deficits during the month. Gujarat recorded the highest shortfall at 82%, followed by Chhattisgarh (65%), Jharkhand (59%), Uttar Pradesh (50%), Delhi (49%), Bihar (47%), Punjab (47%), Maharashtra (47%), and Kerala (34%).
Despite the weak June performance, the IMD said monsoon activity has started to improve. On June 30, the southwest monsoon advanced into additional parts of Madhya Pradesh, the remaining areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, parts of Uttar Pradesh, most of Uttarakhand, and sections of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
The weather department said conditions are becoming favourable for further advancement over the next few days into more areas of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, as well as the remaining parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, and parts of Rajasthan.
Meteorologists expect the development of fresh low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and a southward shift of the monsoon trough during the first week of July to strengthen rainfall activity across central, western, and northern India, potentially helping reduce the deficit after one of the driest Junes on record.
