Hyderabad, May 29 (RAHNUMA): The approaching monsoon season may present difficulties for Telangana, with signs suggesting that the state could experience average or below-normal rainfall.
On Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi published its second-stage long-range forecast for the 2026 Southwest Monsoon, indicating a below-normal monsoon for the South Peninsular region, which includes Telangana.
Adding to the concern, the IMD’s forecast for June suggests that some isolated areas in Telangana may encounter more days of heatwave conditions than usual, even after the monsoon officially begins.
In contrast to previous years, when the Southwest Monsoon usually became active in early June, this year’s onset is anticipated to be much slower. The IMD’s national forecast estimates seasonal rainfall at 90 percent of the Long Period Average (LPA), categorising the country, particularly the southern states like Telangana, as ‘below normal,’ with a 45 percent chance of receiving less than 94 percent of the LPA.
Furthermore, the IMD’s monsoon forecast indicates a delayed start to the season, with June’s rainfall predicted to fall below the 92 percent mark.
About a month ago, several senior meteorologists were optimistic that the Indian Ocean Dipole phenomenon would enhance monsoon winds and contribute to increased rainfall across the Indian subcontinent.
However, complicating the forecast, the IMD confirmed on Friday that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently in a neutral state, showing no immediate signs of shifting to a positive phase that could counteract the impact of the developing El Niño.
The IMD in New Delhi is set to release its specific rainfall forecast for July in the last week of June. As the season evolves, ongoing monitoring by state agencies like the TSDPS will be crucial to assess how these unpredictable patterns influence individual districts.
