Northeast India recorded its lowest southwest monsoon rainfall since 1901, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). East and Northeast India received 1,017.1 mm of rain during June to September, making 2026 the driest monsoon season for the region in the IMD’s recorded history.The data came after the southwest monsoon season ended on September 30. The figures show a major gap from the region’s normal rainfall during the four-month rainy season.Key HighlightsEast and Northeast India received 1,017.1 mm of rainfall.The region recorded its lowest monsoon rainfall since 1901.Rainfall was only 74% of the region’s long-period average.India’s overall monsoon rainfall was also below normal in 2026. Rainfall Falls Well Below NormalThe Northeast India monsoon rainfall this year was much lower than usual. East and Northeast India received only about 74% of their long-period average (LPA) during the southwest monsoon season. The southwest monsoon normally brings a large amount of rain to the region. Rainfall is important for farming, rivers, water supply and other daily activities.The 2026 figure of 1,017.1 mm is also lower than the rainfall recorded in 2025. IMD data for 2025 showed East and Northeast India received 1,089.9 mm, which was already the second-lowest total since 1901 at that time. The new 2026 figure therefore marks another significant fall.The IMD has maintained detailed rainfall records since 1901. The latest data shows that this year’s Southwest monsoon 2026 was particularly weak over the eastern and northeastern parts of the country.India Also Records a Weak MonsoonThe rainfall shortage was not limited to Northeast India. India as a whole received 759.4 mm of rainfall between June and September, which was around 87% of its long-period average. This was the fourth-lowest southwest monsoon rainfall since 2001 and the 13th-lowest since 1901. The monsoon was uneven across different parts of the country.Northwest India received 94.1% of its LPA, while Central India received 97%. South Peninsular India received only 76% of its normal rainfall. East and Northeast India recorded 74% of normal rainfall. Out of India’s 36 meteorological subdivisions, 17 recorded deficient rainfall. These areas covered about 42% of the country’s geographical area. Another 18 subdivisions, covering 53% of the area, received normal rainfall. Odisha was the only subdivision to record excess rainfall. Impact on Farming and Water SupplyThe monsoon rainfall deficit can create problems for farming and water resources. Rainfall during the southwest monsoon helps fill rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources. It also provides soil moisture needed for crops.The IMD’s assessment said the uneven distribution of rain could affect crop yields in rain-fed areas and soil moisture for winter crops. The monsoon core zone received 779.9 mm of rainfall, slightly below the lower end of its normal range of 782.8 to 881.2 mm. Rainfall was especially weak in June. The country received only 65% of normal rainfall that month. July improved to 101% of LPA, but rainfall again fell to 84% in August and 92% in September. The IMD has also released its post-monsoon outlook for October 2026. The department continues to monitor rainfall, temperature and weather conditions across the country.For the Northeast, the 2026 monsoon will now be remembered for its record-low rainfall since 1901. The IMD data highlights how uneven rainfall across India was during this year’s June-September season.
