Despite a strong start to the monsoon, nearly one-fifth of India is battling drought or drought-like conditions, according to the Drought Early Warning System (DEWS). Data shows that 19% of the country’s land area is facing varying levels of dryness, with some states seeing extreme drought.
Severe water stress is reported in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam. Many of these areas have recorded rainfall shortages of 40–70% this season, leaving soil moisture too low for healthy crop growth.
In Arunachal Pradesh, districts like Kurung Kumey, Upper Subansiri, and Kra Daadi are among the worst hit. Assam’s Karbi Anglong, Mizoram’s Champhai, and parts of Manipur are also struggling with exceptional dryness. In Bihar, districts such as Muzaffarpur and Kishanganj have rainfall deficits above 40%, while Punjab’s Kapurthala faces a 73% shortfall.
The India Meteorological Department notes that 29% of districts are currently under arid conditions. Experts warn that this shortage of water and soil moisture could harm agriculture, increase crop losses, and strain rural livelihoods.
Interestingly, Ladakh’s drought comes despite it recording 139% excess rainfall this season, showing how uneven distribution and timing of rains can still leave the land parched.
If the dry spell continues, farmers in affected regions may face reduced yields, pushing up the demand for drought-resistant crops, better irrigation, and alternative water management methods. While the IMD predicts above-normal rainfall in the second half of the monsoon, the damage to early crops may already be done.