Heavy October rains threaten India’s harvests

India is expected to face unusually heavy rainfall in October. Weather officials say the country could receive more

India is expected to face unusually heavy rainfall in October. Weather officials say the country could receive more than 115% of the 50-year average this month.

The warning comes after September also brought excessive rains. Last month’s rainfall was about 15% higher than normal. That raised the overall June–September monsoon surplus to 8%.

Monsoon rains are vital for India’s $4 trillion economy. They supply nearly 70% of the water needed for agriculture and help refill reservoirs and groundwater. But too much rain can be as harmful as too little.

This year, excessive showers are hitting at a sensitive time. Crops like rice, cotton, soybeans, corn, and pulses are close to harvest. Heavy rain and waterlogging have already damaged fields in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is adding to the threat. It is expected to trigger more rain in central, eastern, and southern India in the first half of October. This system is also slowing down the withdrawal of the monsoon. Normally, the rains retreat from the whole country by mid-October.

Farmers are asking for a break from the weather. They say crops need dry conditions to recover and to allow harvesting. A Mumbai-based trade dealer warned that losses could be severe if the rains continue. Cotton, soybean, and paddy farmers are likely to be hit the hardest.

The weather department also predicts that October temperatures will stay normal or below average because of the excess rain. The coming weeks are critical for farmers and for the national food supply.