Overview
- India’s cumulative southwest monsoon rainfall stood about 24% below normal to mid‑July, with the week to July 15 nearly 51% below the long‑period average, according to IMD data reported on July 17.
- Telangana has been hit especially hard with a 35% seasonal shortfall and 27 of 33 districts classed as 'Deficient', leaving large parts of the state short of soil moisture needed for sowing.
- A low‑pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is driving very heavy rain and flash‑flood and landslide warnings in Odisha, sub‑Himalayan West Bengal and northeastern states through the next few days, IMD bulletins say.
- Forecasters project a revival of monsoon rains over the northwest plains around July 20–22 that could replenish soil moisture and help kharif sowing, and some models point to a wider improvement from a low‑pressure formation around July 24.
- Pakistan’s Meteorological Department warns intensified monsoon activity from July 18–25 with widespread rain, windstorms and risks of flash floods, urban inundation and landslides across upper and central regions.