India experienced a severely imbalanced monsoon in June 2024, with most regions facing drought while the northeast suffered deadly floods [1, 2].
This meteorological divide threatens the country's agricultural stability and economic inflation. Because the monsoon is critical for crop production, the lack of widespread rain creates a risk of food shortages and rising prices [3].
According to the India Meteorological Department and other officials, June rainfall was the fifth-lowest in 126 years [1]. Some reports indicate that June 2024 is on track to be the driest June in more than 15 years [3]. This deficit is attributed to climate variability and a reduction in moisture inflow [4, 3].
While much of the country remained dry, the northeast region, including areas such as Guwahati, Assam, faced catastrophic weather. Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and severe flooding that killed at least 22 people [2]. The regional intensity stands in stark contrast to the national deficit, a pattern that highlights the growing instability of seasonal weather patterns.
Officials said the delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon has left many farmers unable to plant essential crops. The imbalance between the arid interior and the flooded coastlines creates a dual crisis for emergency responders and agricultural planners [1, 2].
“June rainfall was the fifth-lowest in 126 years.”
The divergence between extreme drought and flash flooding within the same season suggests an increase in climate volatility. For India, this means traditional farming calendars are no longer reliable, potentially leading to higher food inflation and a greater reliance on expensive irrigation systems to compensate for the failed monsoon onset.
