The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that despite a slight initial delay, the Southwest monsoon is set to bring intense downpours to Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu over the coming days, with similar heavy rainfall expected across Odisha, Sikkim, and sub-Himalayan West Bengal. However, broader projections for the 2026 season are concerning, as officials warn it could be one of the driest periods in over a decade. Current forecasts suggest national rainfall will hit only 90 percent of the long-period average, a figure influenced largely by the intensifying El Nino effect in the Pacific, which is expected to reach peak strength by September.

Given that the monsoon accounts for nearly 70 percent of India’s annual rainfall and remains the backbone of the kharif crop season, the government is taking proactive steps to mitigate potential agricultural losses. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the 'Save the fields' campaign to provide farmers with localized, crop-specific guidance on planting strategies and drought-resistant alternatives. While Northeast India is anticipated to see normal rainfall levels, the anticipated deficit in central, southern, and northwestern regions underscores the critical need for these interventions to support farmers who rely heavily on timely rains for crops like rice, pulses, and cotton.