In the three month pre monsoon season (March 1 to May 31, 2026) India received 131.3 mm (185.8 mm in Pre-Monsoon 2025, 125.9 mm in Pre-Monsoon 2024, 146.6 mm in Pre Monsoon 2023[i]) rainfall, 0.54% above (42% above normal in Pre-Monsoon 2025, 4% below normal in Pre-Monsoon 2024 and 12% above in Pre Monsoon 2023) the normal rainfall of 130.6 mm as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In 2020[ii] , 2021[iii] and 2022[iv] India received 158.5 mm, 155.2 mm and 130.6 or 20% above normal, 18% above normal and 1% below rainfall respectively. So, India has received above normal rainfall in 5 of the last 7 years in Pre-Monsoon season since 2020.
Month wise distribution However, when we look at the month-wise distribution of rainfall we find that in March 2026 there was 33.7 mm (20.1, 28.5, 37.6, 8.9 and 16.7 mm in March 2025, March 2024, March 2023, March 2022 and March 2021 respectively) or 13% above normal rainfall when normal rainfall was supposed to be 29.9 mm. In April 2026, the rainfall was 35.1 mm (38.8, 31.4, 41.4, 38.3 and 31 mm in April 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively), 1% below normal rainfall of 39.3 mm. The lion’s share of rainfall of the season was in May 2026, at 62.5 mm (126.9 mm, 66, 68.6, 83.4 and 107.5 mm respectively in May 2025, May 2024, May 2023, 2022 and 2021), or 1.8 % above the normal rain of 61.4 mm.
| Actual Rainfall, mm | Normal rainfall, mm | % departure | |
| March 2026 | 33.7 | 29.9 | +13% |
| April 2026 | 35.1 | 39.3 | -10.7% |
| May 2026 | 62.5 | 61.4 | +1.8% |
| Pre Monsoon 2026 | 131.3 | 130.6 | +0.54% |
ALL INDIA State wise rainfall distribution During pre-monsoon season 2026, 6 States (and Union Territories) had Large Excess (over 60% in excess of normal rainfall), 11 States and UTs had Excess (20-59% above normal rainfall), 13 states had Normal (between 19% excess and 19% deficit compared to normal), 6 states had Deficit (20 to 59% below normal rainfall), No state had Large Deficit (over 60% below normal) precipitation.
ALL INDIA Sub Division wise Rainfall distribution Out of 36 meteorological sub divisions of IMD, 8 had large Excess, 7 had Excess, 13 had Normal, 7 had deficit rainfall and only one had large deficit rainfall in pre monsoon 2026 season.
STATE WISE DISTRICT WISE RAINFALL This file gives information about all the districts of India about actual rainfall, normal rainfall and departure from normal for the Pre-Monsoon 2026 season.
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END NOTES:
[i] https://sandrp.in/2023/06/01/district-wise-rainfall-in-pre-monsoon-2023-season-in-india/
[ii] https://sandrp.in/2020/06/05/india-received-20-excess-rains-in-pre-monsoon-2020/
[iii] https://sandrp.in/2021/06/01/state-wise-rainfall-pre-monsoon-2021-season/
[iv] https://sandrp.in/2022/05/31/state-wise-rainfall-in-pre-monsoon-2022-season-in-india/
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