New Delhi: India has just experienced its warmest August since weather record-keeping began in 1901, shattering a 125-year-old record. The extreme heat, driven by strong El Niño conditions, is expected to be followed by a drier and warmer-than-usual September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday.
According to IMD data, the country’s average mean temperature in August stood at 28.01 degrees Celsius, which is 0.67 degrees above the normal average of 27.34 degrees Celsius. The unprecedented heat was primarily driven by unusually warm nights. The average minimum temperature for the month climbed to 24.36 degrees Celsius—the highest ever recorded for August—significantly above the normal of 23.68 degrees Celsius.
“August 2026 was the warmest August in India since 1901,” confirmed IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. He explained that a severe lack of rainfall prevented temperatures from dropping.
The country recorded just 213.3 mm of rainfall in August, translating to a 16 per cent deficit. This marks the seventh-lowest August rainfall since 2001. Although four low-pressure systems formed during the month, they primarily benefited the Indo-Gangetic plains, leaving large parts of the country parched. Overall, the cumulative monsoon rainfall from June 1 to August 31 stands at a 14 per cent deficit.
Looking ahead, the weather department has offered little hope for respite. The IMD forecast predicts that monthly rainfall in September will likely be “below normal”—falling short of the Long Period Average (LPA) of 167.9 mm.
Mohapatra noted that the persistent, strong El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are a major factor behind the weakened monsoon. “These conditions are expected to strengthen further in the coming months,” he stated, adding that the neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is also failing to provide any boost to monsoon activities.
Consequently, most parts of the country can expect above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures in September. While some areas in northwest, east, and peninsular India might receive normal showers, the overarching forecast points toward prolonged dry spells and oppressive humidity, raising concerns for standing Kharif crops, reservoir levels, and power consumption across the nation.