IMD says southwest monsoon has covered all of India, with a 14% rainfall deficit remaining

The India Meteorological Department said the southwest monsoon has now covered the entire country after advancing into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab on July 9.

The latest advance came one day after the normal July 8 date for full nationwide coverage, according to reports citing IMD. Even with the monsoon’s geographic spread complete, cumulative seasonal rainfall was still 14% below normal.

Final advance across northwest India

Times of India and The Economic Times reported that IMD confirmed the monsoon’s entry into the last uncovered parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab on Thursday, completing its northward and northwestward march across India.

The timing matters because the southwest monsoon is the main rainy season for the country and a key source of water for farming, reservoirs and groundwater recharge.

Rainfall still below normal

IMD’s broader update showed that total rainfall for the season remained in deficit even after the final advance. That means the monsoon’s footprint has reached every region, but the amount of rain collected so far is still lagging the seasonal average.

That gap is important for agriculture and water managers, especially in a year when earlier delays had already raised concerns about water shortages and farm uncertainty.

Why the update matters

Heavy rain during the monsoon can quickly create flood, transport and landslide risks in some areas even while other parts of the country still need more rain.

The immediate focus now is whether the seasonal deficit narrows in the coming days and whether IMD issues any updated regional outlooks as the monsoon settles across the country.

What to watch next

• Whether the 14% rainfall deficit continues to shrink over the next one to two weeks.
• New IMD forecast updates for regional rainfall, flooding and thunderstorm risk.
• Conditions in states already seeing active monsoon rain and disruption.