India’s southwest monsoon, the country’s primary seasonal rainfall system, progressed unevenly during the first half of June 2026. According to The India Meteorological Department (IMD) mausam.imd.gov.in, the monsoon reached Kerala around June 4 and subsequently advanced into parts of southern and eastern India, including Karnataka, Goa, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Despite this early movement, rainfall distribution during June 1–13 remained inconsistent. Several northern and central regions continued to record below-normal precipitation, while heatwave conditions persisted in parts of Rajasthan, Vidarbha, and northern India. Meteorologists note that temporary disruptions in atmospheric circulation have slowed the steady northward progression of the monsoon.
The monsoon season is critical for India’s agriculture, particularly for kharif crops such as rice, soybean, cotton, and pulses. Any delay in sustained rainfall can affect sowing schedules and rural income patterns, especially in rain-fed farming regions.
The IMD has also indicated the possibility of El Niño conditions developing during the 2026 monsoon season, which historically correlates with weaker-than-average rainfall in India. However, the final impact will depend on how quickly the monsoon regains momentum in late June and July.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the overall performance of the 2026 monsoon and its impact on agriculture, water storage, and food inflation trends across the country.
