Driest February Of Last Six Decades: North And East Most Deficient
Key Takeaways:
- India recorded 60% winter rainfall deficiency this season.
- February 2026 saw an 81% rainfall shortfall — the worst in decades.
- It was the lowest February rainfall since 1960.
- Weak western disturbances led to severe deficits across North and Northeast India.
Winter rainfall was extremely poor this season. Both the months failed winter rains, but the month of February was the worst. The winter season, as such, had a pan-India rainfall deficiency of 60% and the month of February exclusively had a shortfall of 81% rainfall. The Indian sub-continent has not seen a surplus winter rainfall for the last seven consecutive years.
Month of Feb 2026 recorded the lowest ever rainfall since 1960. Feb 2026 registered a total of 4.2 mm rainfall against a normal of 22.7 mm. Earlier, in 1960, the country had received mere 2.7 mm rainfall in February. The northern plains and northeast India remained the poorest of all. While North India had a shortfall of about 85% rainfall, northeast India suffered a deficit in excess of 90% rainfall.
Lack of active western disturbances was the main reason for failure of rainfall. The spatial distribution was also uneven, leaving large pockets of scanty rainfall. The mountains mostly remained barren and the glacial snow was minimal. The states of Kerala and Karnataka, along with the Island territories on either side of the coastline, were the saviours. These sub-divisions registered above normal rainfall. Bihar, Gujarat and Konkan & Goa suffered 100% shortfall. The month will go on record to be the poorest performer of the last over six decades.
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