Below-average monsoon outlook raises concerns

The opposition Congress Party is set to select the next Chief Minister of Karnataka tomorrow after Siddaramaiah’s resignation was accepted by the governor. 

While the decision is yet to be officially announced, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is widely expected to succeed Siddaramaiah. 

Following his resignation, Siddaramaiah on Friday met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The meeting holds significance as Siddaramaiah is expected to discuss his future within the Congress leadership, after having already declined a Rajya Sabha seat.

Siddaramaiah also later met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the new government formation in Karnataka and his future role in the party, as reported by the Press Trust of India news agency.

After tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him an opportunity to serve the state.

“I got the opportunity to serve seven crore Kannadigas as CM twice, and as Leader of Opposition twice. I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.”

The Monsoon outlook for India looks weak this year, the Indian Meteorological Department said in its latest forecast.

Monsoon rains, affected by an El Niño, are likely to be below average in 2026 for the first time in three years.

The monsoon is expected to reach 90% of the ​long-period average this year.

“The southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 90% of the long period average (LPA) with a model error of +4%, indicating below normal or less rainfall is most likely,” the IMD presented in a press briefing on Friday.

Northeast India is expected to see normal rains, while northwest, central and south peninsular India are projected to experience below-normal monsoon rains, according to IMD.

The India Meteorological Department defines normal rainfall ‌as ⁠being between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the four-month season.

India’s economy depends heavily on the monsoon rains, as they cover almost 70% of the country’s rainfall needs to refill aquifers ​and reservoirs.

Good morning! This is Midhat from New Delhi, bringing you the latest from India today.

Northern parts of India have found some respite as temperatures have lowered amid forecasts of rain and thunderstorms.

But rainfall is forecast to be lower-than-average this year, raising concerns over the country’s aquifers ​and reservoirs, which rely on monsoon rains. 

Siddaramaiah has officially stepped down as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, saying he is “making way for the next CM.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his country’s “unique relationship” with India, which he called a “huge power.”

Stay tuned with us as we bring you the latest on these developments and other stories from and about India.