East and Central India are expected to receive most of the rainfall in the final weeks of the monsoon season as it starts to withdraw from Northwest India. A report by Dolat Capital states that El Niño has strengthened sharply and will likely continue well into the year 2027.
East and Northeast India recorded the greatest improvement with the rainfall deficit narrowing to 27 percent from 29 percent in the previous week. The South Peninsula saw its deficit ease to 26 percent from 28 percent.
Central India’s deficit stayed unchanged at 6 percent, while Northwest India saw a slight shortfall increase to 10 percent from 9 percent. The all-India rainfall shortfall held flat at minus 15 percent for the season.
Kharif sowing reached 1,103.9 lakh hectares as of September 18. The overall shortfall compared to last year narrowed to 15.1 lakh hectares.
Oilseed acreage moved into a marginal surplus over last year for the first time this season, while pulse sowing remained steady. However, rice continued to lag as its acreage deficit widened further, and cotton gave up some earlier gains.
