India Declares Drought Year After Worst Monsoon in 11 Years

India has declared a drought year following a 13% shortfall of the southwest monsoon – the lowest since 2015 and the fourth lowest since 2001, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which confirmed the deficit on September 30. The deficit has led to drought declarations in various states, revisions to foodgrain target estimates and fears over food inflation and farmer livelihoods.

Maharashtra and Karnataka Most Affected

Drought has been announced in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas-about 74% of Maharashtra-with the chief minister asserting that the drought is worse than the devastating 1972 drought. The state government said it would restructure crop loans, provide land revenue concessions and electricity bill subsidies but cut water supply by at least 10% in all urban and rural local bodies from October 16.Karnataka was in its worst drought in 150 years with 30% rainfall shortfall. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government had on October 1 announced that 388 of the 688 mandals across 21 districts, which constitutes the entire state, were affected by the drought for the 2026 Kharif season, and 283 were in the “severely affected” category with a rainfall deficit of 53.4% from June to August.

Nationwide: Majority of Country Experiencing Drought Stress

The India Drought Monitor (IIT-Gandhinagar) said that as of mid-September, 52.5% of India’s geographical area was in dry or drought conditions, up from 38.9% at a month ago. Western and southern India are the most affected, with 79% and 67% of their respective regions being classified as dry or drought-hit. East and northeast India reported highest rainfall deficits (25%) followed by the peninsula region (24%).

El Nio and Erratic Rain Patterns Blamed

Weather experts blame an intensifying El Nio in the Pacific Ocean as the cause for the deficit, which often results in less rain during the monsoon over India. The monsoon had already been mired by a crippling June deficit, recovered some in July and faced a sharp dry spell in August and the first few weeks of September before a late depression cut the deficit from 15% to some 12-13%. Even in the wake of the rainfall, 43% of all districts in the country experienced deficient or scanty rainfall in late September.

Effect on Agriculture and Food Security

It has already cut the foodgrain production target to 292.4 million tons for 2026-27 from its earlier estimate of 330.5 million tons because of crop loss, especially in rain-fed areas. State Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne has asked farmers in Maharashtra not to plant the Kharif crop and to instead switch to crops that require less water, as Rabi sowing starts, as the Kharif crop has been devastated in most parts of the state. Consulting firm IHS Markit said a prolonged drought could increase food inflation in the coming months.

Relief Measures and Outlook

States have started to announce relief measures such as loan waivers, free fodder and free supply of drinking water in drought-affected villages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the October December northeast monsoon rainfall for Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and south interior Karnataka will be normal to above normal, helping the Rabi sowings in these regions. The rest of the country is forecast to have below-normal rainfall, which will adversely impact natural resources.

References:

The Indian Express: “Andhra government declares drought in 21 districts” October 7, 2026SANDRP: “DRP 051026: Drought: how prepared are we?” October 5, 2026The Print: “Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas or nearly three-fourths of state, announces relief measures” September 26, 2026Business Standard: “2026 monsoon ends with nearly 13% rain deficit, worst since 2015, IMD says” September 30, 2026Tech Times: “India Monsoon 2026 Ends With Worst Deficit in Over Decade, IMD Confirms” September 30, 2026India Today: “Agriculture | The drought deficit” October 2, 2026Times of India: “Why first monsoon drought in 11 years left India dry, and wet” September 30, 2026Times of India: “Monsoon deficit at 13%, officially a drought year” October 1, 2026NDTV: “India’s 2026 Monsoon Journey: A Decade’s Lowest Rainfall And A Strengthening El Niño” October 2, 2026Times of India (Jaipur): “Why first monsoon drought in 11 years left India dry, and wet” September 29, 2026Article WN: “Drought shadow looms over rabi season, agriculture minister …” September 30, 2026NDTV: “The Dual Crisis Of Monsoon Deficit And Catastrophic Rain Across India” July 3, 2026The Tribune India: “Drought concerns grow as govt begins rabi strategy session” September 28, 2026