(Feature Image: Weekly drought monitor map dated 23 Sept. 2026 shows drought condition in India. Credit: Vimal Misra/ Drought Monitor India )

The DRP issue this week seems to have one central theme, connecting the various parts: Deficit monsoon leading to reduced reservoir levels, increased pollution, fish death and announcements of unprecedented droughts in more than one state. Since it was known to be a super El Nino Year and even IMD had predicted deficit monsoon, the ultimate deficit of 12.6% in SW Monsoon rainfall should in fact seem like bit of a relief. This was largely thanks to unexpected above average rainfall in the wettest month of SW Monsoon, July, largely due to favorable Indian Ocean Dipole.

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