Drought Conditions Spread Across India, Farmers Put On Edge

Large parts of India entered July under worsening drought conditions, with the situation significantly more severe than it was during the same period last year, according to data released by the Water and Climate Lab at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar. The latest assessment indicates that drought-affected areas expanded considerably across several states during June 2026, raising concerns over soil moisture stress and its potential impact on agriculture at the onset of the southwest monsoon. The findings highlight growing challenges for farmers as rainfall remains uneven across the country.

A comparison of drought maps from the last week of June 2025 and the last week of June 2026 shows a marked increase in the geographical spread and intensity of drought conditions. While drought in late June 2025 was largely confined to pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, the northeastern region, and a few isolated districts elsewhere, the latest data reveals moderate, severe and even extreme drought affecting large parts of central, eastern and northeastern India. Fresh drought pockets have also emerged along sections of the western coast, particularly in Maharashtra, indicating a broader deterioration in moisture conditions.

The worsening drought has been closely linked to below-normal rainfall recorded during June 2026. Rainfall deficit maps show significant shortages across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and several northeastern states. Many of these regions correspond with areas where drought intensity has increased over the past month. In contrast, parts of northwest India and southern peninsular states received above-normal rainfall, helping maintain relatively favourable moisture levels and limiting the spread of drought in those areas.

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Weekly drought assessments also indicate a gradual deterioration throughout June. Areas that began the month under normal or mildly dry conditions steadily shifted into moderate and severe drought categories by the end of the month. The trend reflects the cumulative impact of inadequate rainfall and increasing soil moisture deficits, underscoring the importance of consistent monsoon activity during the early stages of the agricultural season. Experts continue to monitor rainfall patterns closely as the monsoon progresses across the country.

The developing drought poses significant challenges for India's agricultural sector, particularly as June marks the beginning of the kharif sowing season. Crops such as paddy, maize, pulses and oilseeds rely heavily on timely monsoon rainfall for successful germination and early growth. Persistent moisture shortages can delay sowing operations, reduce crop establishment and increase farmers' dependence on irrigation, potentially affecting agricultural productivity if rainfall deficits continue in the coming weeks.

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