With monsoon in its final month, nearly half of El Niño-vulnerable districts across 25 states/UTs face deficient rainfall

40 of the 147 districts recording deficient or large-deficient rainfall are among the 111 high-priority districts. 36% of the 111 high-priority districts, 55% of 76 medium priority districts  and 50% of the low-priority districts recorded deficient or large-deficient rainfall, between June 1 and August 30, 2026.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said on June 23 that around 315 districts could be affected by a weak or uncertain monsoon and a possible ‘super’ El Niño. These have been classified into three categories based on their irrigation coverage. Of these, 111 are high-priority districts (with less than 25 per cent of their area under irrigation) 76 districts are classified as medium-priority (with irrigation coverage between 25 and 50 per cent) 128 districts are low-priority (with more than 50 per cent irrigation coverage or relatively better access to water through dams and other infrastructure)
Chart: Kiran PandeySource: Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare