Muskan Bhatia

Muskan Bhatia New Delhi, Sep 30 (UNI) India saw the 2026 Southwest Monsoon season ending with a 13 per cent rainfall deficit, making it the country's fourth weakest monsoon since 2001, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The below-normal rains have heightened concerns over the upcoming rabi sowing season, with lower soil moisture and below-last-year reservoir levels likely to affect crop planting in several rain-fed regions. The 2026 southwest monsoon ended with a 12.6% rainfall deficit during the June 1-September 30 period, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The deficit was most severe in East and Northeast India,…