The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially declared the withdrawal of the 2025 Southwest Monsoon season, marking a significant end to a period characterized by generally above-normal rainfall. For the country as a whole, seasonal rainfall between June and September measured 108% of the Long Period Average (LPA), the fifth highest since 2001. This performance was largely driven by excess rainfall in Northwest India (127% of LPA) and Central India (115% of LPA). However, the season was marked by uneven distribution, with East and Northeast India recording a deficit at just 80% of the LPA.
The near-normal (and overall above-normal) rainfall is expected to be a major boon for Indian agriculture. It provides a strong foundation for both the recently harvested Kharif (summer) crops and the upcoming Rabi (winter) sowing season. Adequate and timely rainfall is crucial for replenishing groundwater reserves and ensuring high live storage levels in the country’s 161 major reservoirs, which, as of late September, were well above the ten-year average. Favorable reservoir levels are essential for the irrigation needed during the Rabi season.
Despite the overall positive statistics, regional variability posed challenges, with excess rains causing localized flooding and waterlogging in parts of Northwest India, potentially leading to some crop damage and delayed Rabi sowing in those areas. However, the abundant precipitation has helped moderate food inflation by improving the supply of cereals and vegetables. The favorable monsoon outcome strengthens agricultural prospects, supports rural demand, and is expected to reinforce India’s broader economic resilience.
