Telangana Faces Dry Spell as IMD Forecasts Deficit Rainfall Through Early September

HYDERABAD — Telangana is staring at a significantly below-par finish for August, with dry conditions projected to persist through the first week of September as monsoon systems bypass the southern peninsular region, according to an extended weather forecast released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD outlook, covering the period between August 20 and September 6, indicates that monsoon systems are tracking away from Telangana, continuing a sharp drop in precipitation experienced across the state this month.

Unlike July's steady recovery, the performance of the Southwest Monsoon in August has been sluggish across Telangana. The state recorded an actual rainfall of 92 mm against the expected normal of 141 mm up to August 20, translating to a 34 per cent deficit for the month, according to rainfall data from the Telangana Development Planning Society (TSDPS).

Cumulative monsoon rainfall across the state from June 1 to August 20 reached 432.1 mm compared to the normal average of 498.7 mm. While this 13 per cent deficit still places Telangana within the overall normal statistical category for the season, the recent slowdown has heightened concerns about moisture levels.

The IMD reported that active weather systems remain concentrated over Central India and the Himalayan foothills. This pattern is being driven by a series of low-pressure systems travelling across Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal.

At the same time, atmospheric dynamics over southern peninsular India have remained subdued, accompanied by a weaker-than-normal low-level Somali Jet. These conditions have prevented sufficient moisture from being drawn inland toward Telangana and neighbouring interior regions.

Although a fresh upper-air cyclonic circulation is anticipated over the north Bay of Bengal toward the end of August, which may develop into a low-pressure area by early September, meteorologists expect its core downpours to benefit East and Northeast India rather than the south. Consequently, Telangana is projected to receive only isolated to scattered showers rather than widespread monsoon relief in the coming weeks.