# Monsoon deficit stays at 11% despite recent rains across India

2026-08-09T22:40:35+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

India's cumulative monsoon rainfall deficit stands at 11% as of August 9, down just one percentage point from a week earlier, despite good rains over Delhi, Haryana and east Rajasthan. The India Meteorological Department has forecast increased rainfall over Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar from August 13, potentially reviving paddy and maize sowing. Kharif sowing has reached 88% of the normal area, with total coverage at 96.8 million hectares as of August 7, down 1.8% from last year. Paddy acreage is 34.4 million hectares, 4.2% lower than last year. However, oilseeds sowing has improved marginally, and The Hindu Business Line notes that pulses deficit has narrowed sharply from 6.3% to 1.8% week-on-week. Twelve states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, UP and Punjab, continue to report high rain deficits.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/recent-rain-has-little-impact-on-national-monsoon-deficit/articleshow/133074939.cms>
- thehindubusinessline.com <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kharif-sowing-area-deficit-less-than-2-sugarcane-area-revised-to-lower/article71328493.ece>
- livemint.com <https://www.livemint.com/industry/agriculture/kharif-sowing-lags-last-year-s-coverage-despite-revival-in-rainfall-11786346582402.html>

Tags: agriculture, IMD forecast, kharif sowing, Monsoon, Rainfall deficit
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