All-India rainfall deficit stands at 13% of LPA, narrowing from 16% in July and 40% in June.
Kharif sowing completed 92% of target by 14 August, with rice and oilseeds at 92% and pulses at 88% of normal area.
Reservoir storage recovered to 59% of live capacity by 13 August, up from 53% a week earlier, improving outlook for Rabi season.
Rainfall Deficit & El Nino HDFC Bank notes that the El Nino influence has been moderate, keeping the all-India cumulative rainfall deficit at 13% of LPA as of 19 Aug. The deficit has stayed within the 11‑13% band since early August, after a sharp drop from 16% at the end of July and 40% at the end of June. While most regions show improvement, the southern states continue to lag, with the deficit widening to 22% from 18% earlier in August.
Kharif Sowing & Crop Status By 14 Aug, 92% of the Kharif season’s sowing is complete, with rice and oilseeds at 92% of normal area and pulses at 88%. Total Kharif sown area is 2% below last year, a narrower shortfall compared to the 3% gap at July‑end. Rice sowing remains below last year’s level, especially in Karnataka, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, though Assam has seen a pickup. Ragi sowing fell 34.2% YoY, the steepest decline among coarse cereals, while Jowar surpassed last year’s figures. Pulse sowing improved, led by Urad at 13.1%, though Tur lagged.
Reservoir Storage & Fertiliser Availability Reservoir storage has risen to 59% of live capacity as of 13 Aug, up from 53% a week earlier. The gap from normal has narrowed, with Central and South India seeing shortfall easing, West India remaining above normal, and North India’s deficit widening. This recovery is a key indicator for the upcoming Rabi season. Fertiliser supplies, however, still trail full‑season needs: Urea, DAP, MOP, NPK and SSP availability stood at 379.0 lakh tonnes on 7 Aug against a 383.9 lakh‑tonne requirement for Kharif 2026.
