The monsoon season of 2025 (June to September) brought both relief and disaster for India. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the country saw an average rainfall of 743.1 mm, which is 6.1% above the Long Period Average (LPA) of 700.7 mm. Overall, India received 106% of the LPA, indicating a season of heavier rainfall than usual.
The northwest witnessed a 26.7% increase, Central India 8.6% more, the South saw a rise of 9.3%, while the East and Northeast noted a 17.8% shortage. The rainfall, while beneficial for crops, also led to landslides, floods, and widespread havoc, with more than 500 fatalities and billions in damage.
Source: aajtak
State-Wise Rainfall and Impact: IMD Statistics
The IMD's monthly reports and press releases provide a detailed overview of each state's condition till September 3, based on the percentage deviation from the LPA.
Himachal Pradesh (Northwest, 26.7% surplus)
1200+ mm of rainfall till September 3, 30% above LPA.
Impact: Widespread devastation—320 deaths, 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts, 16 landslides. Infrastructure crumbled with 788 roads closed, NH-3/NH-5 devastated, and the Manali-Leh highway covered in debris. 2174 transformers damaged, interrupting electricity and water.
Crops affected: 50,000 hectares.
Financial damage: Over ₹5,000 crore. A red alert from IMD.
Uttarakhand (Northwest, 26.7% surplus)
1,000+ mm (25% above LPA).
Impact: 10 tragic deaths amid flash floods in Dharali-Uttarkashi, with 19 NHPC workers stranded in Pithoragarh. 75 roads closed, red alerts in Dehradun-Tehri-Nainital. Floods in Chamoli led to one woman's death and property damage.
On a smaller scale, reminiscent of the 2013 Kedarnath disaster.
Damage: ₹1,000 crore+, affecting infrastructure (bridges-roads).
Jammu and Kashmir (Northwest, 26.7% surplus)
368+ mm (20% above LPA, 630 mm recorded in Udhampur).
Impact: Landslides on the Vaishno Devi route caused 34 deaths, injuring 20. The Tawi river bridge collapsed in Doda-Rishi, flooding the area. Schools remained shut till September 3, breaking a 99-year-old record.
Damage: ₹2,000 crore+, over 100 roads closed, crops and homes submerged.
Punjab (Northwest, 26.7% surplus)
500+ mm (25% surplus LPA)
Impact: Rising waters in Beas-Satluj-Ravi left 13 districts inundated, destroying 300,000 acres of crops. 29 lives lost, 3 missing. 1,312 villages hit, 1.46 lakh displaced.
Damage: ₹10,000 crore+, roads and bridges broke down. Orange alert from IMD.
Madhya Pradesh (Central India, 8.6% surplus)
900+ mm (15% over LPA)
Impact: Mahanadi catchment affected, floods caused 50 deaths, destroying 100,000 hectares of crops. Indore-Bhopal saw severe waterlogging.
Damage: ₹3,000 crore+, 200+ villages submerged.
Maharashtra (Central India, 8.6% surplus)
1,500+ mm (including a record 440 mm in Raigad in one day).
Impact: Flooding in Mumbai-Raigad claimed over 100 lives, with 570 mm in ghat areas. Crops damaged across 200,000 hectares.
Damage: ₹5,000 crore+, disrupting trains and roads.
Source: aajtak
Southern States (Kerala, Tamil Nadu; South, 9.3% surplus)
1,200+ mm (10% over LPA)
Impact: Early monsoon onset in Kerala (May), flooding resulted in 50 deaths, waterlogging in Chennai-Bangalore. Damage to crops-homes. Financial losses: ₹2,000 crore+
Northeastern States (Arunachal, Assam; 17.8% deficit)
800 mm (20% below LPA)
Impact: Near drought conditions with some flood areas in Assam (20 deaths).
Less damage but impacted crops.
Other States (e.g., Gujarat, Rajasthan; Northwest)
Above average (107% LPA)
Impact: Floods in Gujarat resulted in 30 deaths. Rajasthan remained average, with some floods.
Total damage: ₹1,000 crore+
Total Impact and Damage: IMD Statistics
According to the IMD, the core monsoon zone, crucial for agriculture, received 122% LPA rainfall.
Benefits: Strong Kharif season, reservoirs filled (e.g., Bhakra Dam at 95%).
Damages: Over 500 deaths, affecting over 10 lakh people, destroying 500,000 hectares of crops.
Economic losses: Over ₹20,000 crore from floods and landslides.
Infrastructure: Damage to over 2,000 roads-bridges, power-water interruptions.
Health: Rise in dengue-malaria cases.
IMD recorded 15 Western Disturbance notices linked to climate change.
IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra warned that September’s 109% additional rainfall poses severe threats. Climate change has increased extreme events (2,632 very heavy, 473 extremely heavy incidents).
