News Capsule: Monsoon Progress in 2026 Slower Than Last Year, Raising Concerns for Kharif Crops
23-Jun-2026 09:28 AM
News Capsule: Monsoon Progress in 2026 Slower Than Last Year, Raising Concerns for Kharif Crops
★ A comparison of Southwest Monsoon progress as of June 22, 2025 and June 22, 2026 indicates that this year's monsoon is lagging behind last year, particularly across northwestern India. While the monsoon has covered most parts of South India, Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and eastern India, its advancement remains relatively slow in Rajasthan, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.
★ By June 22, 2025, the monsoon had already covered Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, with significant progress into southeastern Rajasthan. In contrast, by June 22, 2026, the northern limit of the monsoon remains around eastern Uttar Pradesh and central Rajasthan.
★ The delayed monsoon progression could impact kharif sowing and crop productivity. Early-sown crops such as cotton, turmeric, groundnut, and sugarcane may face declining soil moisture levels, resulting in poor germination, weak crop stands, and the possibility of resowing in some areas.
★ Major kharif crops including paddy, pigeon pea (tur), mung bean, urad, and soybean could also be affected due to delayed sowing. If monsoon advancement does not accelerate in the coming weeks and rainfall distribution remains uneven, kharif crop productivity during the 2026-27 season may come under pressure.
★ In summary, monsoon progress as of June 22, 2026 is behind the level seen on the same date in 2025 across northwestern India, increasing concerns over kharif sowing, crop development, and overall agricultural productivity.