New Delhi: India’s southwest monsoon has weakened. Soon after the monsoon spread over the south and central regions, there was a significant reduction in rainfall over most parts of the country. According to the latest data of the Indian Meteorological Department, between June 4 and June 15, instead of the normal 53.7 mm rainfall, only 19.2 mm rainfall occurred. There has been a decrease of 64 percent across the country.
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The lack of monsoon is more evident in images taken by the EINSAT-3DS weather observation satellite on June 15. Instead of the widespread cloud cover usually seen during active monsoons, much of the Indian subcontinent and central India are unusually cloudless. Only the Himalayan region, northeastern India, and parts north of the Indo-Gangetic plain have significant clouds. Besides, the monsoon from the Arabian Sea is also weak.
Monsoon has reached Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Central India, but meteorologists say that the reason for less rainfall is not due to lack of moisture from the sea. This happens due to changes in the upper atmosphere kilometers above ground level. The main obstacle is the westerly jet stream, air flow in the upper atmosphere that has shifted southward from normal. It disrupts the easterly jet stream that helps maintain the monsoon over India.
Generally the eastern jet stream helps in the formation of rain clouds. However, westerly winds are now strong which are preventing cloud formation and reducing rainfall. Experts believe that this is a temporary ‘monsoon pause’. Due to change in atmospheric conditions, rainfall is expected to gradually improve by the end of this week.
Content Highlights: India has recorded a rainfall deficit of 64% between June 4 and June 15, 2026., INSAT-3DS satellite imagery confirms significant cloud cover absence over central India., The western jet stream has shifted southwards, disrupting the moisture-rich eastern jet stream., Experts classify it as a temporary ‘monsoon stagnation’ with improvement expected by the end of June.
Published: June 15, 2026, 06:15 PM IST
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