India's monsoon rainfall ends 13% below normal, fourth-lowest since 2001

India recorded 87.4 percent of its long period average rainfall during the southwest monsoon season, receiving 759.4 mm of rain — 13 percent below normal levels. El Niño significantly contributed to the below-average precipitation, with southern and western regions particularly affected.

Despite a late surge in rainfall towards the season's end, several areas faced substantial deficits. Punjab and South India were among the hardest-hit regions. The overall monsoon season ended as the driest since 2015, marking the fourth-lowest rainfall recorded since 2001.