The monsoon may have withdrawn, but its consequences for India’s water security could extend well into the months ahead. A below-normal rainfall season, combined with reservoir storage levels below their long-term average, raises questions about water availability for irrigation, the progress of rabi sowing and the potential pressure on food prices. The risks, however, are not uniform across the country. Regional rainfall patterns, groundwater reserves, irrigation infrastructure and post-monsoon precipitation will help determine how severely agriculture and rural livelihoods are affected. The real test lies not simply in how much rain India received, but in how much usable water it has carried into the dry months.
This infographic examines the rainfall deficit, the state of major reservoirs and the possible consequences for farms and food supplies, separating observed data from emerging risks.
