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Key Points

Three major rice-growing states are experiencing worrying rainfall deficits this monsoon. While national figures show a 15% surplus, regional imbalances threaten key crops. Central and North-West India enjoy heavy rains boosting sowing activities. Agricultural experts remain cautiously optimistic about overall output despite uneven distribution.

Key Points: Bihar Andhra Assam Rice States Face Below-Normal Monsoon Rains

  • Bihar Andhra Assam contribute 15% of India's Kharif rice output
  • National rainfall 15% above average despite regional deficits
  • North-West and Central India record 37-42% surplus rains
  • South Peninsula and East-Northeast face 1-20% shortfall
2 min read

Major rice-producing states, including Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Assam, receive below-normal rainfall so far: Report

Key rice-producing states Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam report below-normal monsoon rainfall, raising concerns for Kharif crop output despite national surplus.

"Among major rice-producing states, below-normal rainfall was observed in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam - CareEdge Ratings Report"

New Delhi, July 10

Major rice-producing states in India have received below-normal rainfall so far this monsoon season, according to a report by CareEdge Ratings.

The report highlighted that states such as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam, which together contributed around 15 per cent of the total Kharif rice production last year, have experienced lower-than-normal rainfall since the beginning of the season.

"Among major rice-producing states, below-normal rainfall was observed in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam," the report stated.

Despite the shortfall in these key rice-growing regions, the report highlighted that the monsoon has shown signs of improvement overall.

Among the 36 meteorological subdivisions in the country, 15 subdivisions, accounting for 43 per cent of the total area, have received normal rainfall since June.

Meanwhile, 7 subdivisions, which represent about 13 per cent of the total area, recorded deficient rainfall. The remaining subdivisions saw either large excess or excess rainfall.

While the evenness in the spatial distribution of monsoon rains has reduced, it continues to be a key factor to watch in the coming weeks, the report added.

Interestingly, the South-West monsoon began earlier than usual this year but weakened midway through June. However, it picked up pace towards the end of the month, which helped push the country's overall rainfall into the surplus category.

As of July 7, 2025, India's cumulative rainfall stands at 15 per cent above the Long Period Average (LPA).

Region-wise, North-West and Central India saw a strong monsoon performance, with rainfall levels at 37 per cent and 42 per cent above the LPA, respectively. These favourable conditions have supported sowing activities in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.

In contrast, the South Peninsula recorded rainfall at 1 per cent below normal, while the East and North-East regions saw a significant shortfall of 20 per cent.

Despite the uneven rainfall across regions, the report mentioned that the overall increase in sowing activities indicates favourable conditions for agriculture. The report noted that this bodes well for a strong agricultural output for the second consecutive year.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Why is media only focusing on negative? Report clearly says overall rainfall is 15% above normal! Our MP and Gujarat farmers are doing well. We should celebrate good news too 🇮🇳
A
Aman W
As someone from Assam, I can confirm the rainfall has been very irregular. Our paddy fields are drying up. Hope IMD predictions for July-August come true otherwise it will be disaster for small farmers.
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Priya S
Time to seriously invest in water conservation and micro-irrigation projects. We can't keep depending only on monsoon rains year after year. Israel model would work well for Andhra's conditions.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully disagree with the optimistic tone of this report. 20% deficit in East/Northeast is HUGE for rice crops. We might see rice prices shooting up by Diwali if this continues. Government should prepare contingency plans now itself.
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Kavya N
My uncle in Bihar says they're using groundwater like crazy for paddy. This is not sustainable! We need crop diversification in these states - maybe shift some areas to millets which need less water.

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