IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall in June across AP

Visakhapatnam: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday indicated below-normal rainfall over most parts of Andhra Pradesh in June. The southwest monsoon was expected to advance into Kerala on June 4, and it is likely to enter Andhra Pradesh four to seven days after setting over Kerala.The southwest monsoon period (June to Sep) is often seen as the backbone of the state’s economy. From June to Sep, it delivers more than 70% of the state’s annual rainfall. However, according to the forecast probabilities issued by various weather agencies, there is a 60% probability of a deficit monsoon. There is an 80% chance of the warming El Niño phenomenon developing between June and August, increasing the risk of extreme weather events.The normal rainfall for Andhra Pradesh during June, based on 1971-2020, is 94.1 mm. As per the IMD, Chittoor, Tirupati, Annamayya, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, and Anantapur districts in the state may experience above-normal rainfall in June, while the remaining districts in the state may record below-normal rainfall in June.During June, above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the state, indicating a hotter June in many parts of Andhra Pradesh. The state may experience heatwave conditions in June.Though the southwest made an early entry into Andhra Pradesh on May 26 in 2025 (arrived nine days ahead of schedule), the state recorded around 31% of deficit rainfall in June 2025, and the erratic rainfall hit the kharif crop operations hard.The normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon in Andhra Pradesh is 515 mm, and over 60% of farms in the state are still rain-dependent. The weathermen stated that many parts of the state are likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season this year. The expected rainfall deficiency in the state is linked to El Niño, which weakens monsoon activity over India.