South India's 4th-driest monsoon since 1901: what the numbers say

For south India, the 2026 southwest monsoon was one of the weakest on record.

The headline. IMD's end-of-season report says the South Peninsula received 542.0 mm of rain from June to September, against a long-period average of 716.2 mm. That is 76% of normal: the fourth lowest since 1901 and the second lowest since 2001.

No month made up the gap. The region got 80% of normal in June, 75% in July and 73% in both August and September. In July, when central India had heavy rain, six of the South Peninsula's ten subdivisions were deficient or large deficient.

It wasn't only the south. East and Northeast India had an even weaker season: 74% of normal, its lowest since 1901.

Why the next three months matter. The south has a second rainy season, the northeast monsoon, from October to December. IMD says the South Peninsula receives about 30% of its annual rain in this season, and Tamil Nadu about 48%. IMD's outlook for 2026 is normal for the region as a whole, but below normal for most areas outside south Kerala and south Tamil Nadu.

What you can do. Reservoirs and groundwater are already lower than usual. Follow your city or state water board's advice, fix leaks, store rainwater when it comes, and check IMD's weekly forecasts.

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