India saw above-average rainfall in several regions in July 2024, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). July recorded 9% more rainfall than normal, boosting agricultural prospects. Despite this, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Eastern India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, east UP, Gangetic West Bengal, and Odisha, experienced deficient rainfall.

The IMD forecasted more than 106% rainfall for the second half of the monsoon, with above-normal precipitation across most of India. However, Northeast and East India may see below-normal rainfall during this period. The first week of August is expected to bring significant rainfall across the country, with extreme heavy rains and red alerts in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. After August 8, a brief decline in rainfall is anticipated.

Odisha is set to receive heavy rains on August 1 and 2, with a yellow warning issued for several districts, predicting rainfall between 7 to 20 cm.

In May, the IMD predicted above-average rainfall for the monsoon season (June to September 2024), with an expected 106% of the long-period average (LPA). While southern and central India recorded above-average rainfall, East and Northeast regions saw a 23.3% deficit, and Northwest India experienced a 14.3% shortfall. The increased rainfall in July helped recover from June’s monsoon deficit by 10.9%, resulting in an overall 1.8% surplus since June 1.