Hyderabad: Hyderabad recorded a 27% rainfall deficit during the 2026 southwest monsoon, with the city receiving 458.2 mm of rain between June 1 and September 30 against the seasonal normal of 627.2 mm, according to rainfall data.
Telangana as a whole received 615.5 mm of rainfall against the state's normal of 740.6 mm, resulting in a 17% deficit. Despite the shortfall, the state remained within the India Meteorological Department's normal rainfall category, which covers deviations between -19% and +19%.
Sharp Decline After Three Wetter Years
The 2026 monsoon marked a significant change from Hyderabad's recent rainfall pattern. The city received 742.9 mm in 2022, 769.5 mm in 2023 and 829.1 mm in 2024. The 2024 total was around 34% above normal.
Hyderabad had also recorded relatively high rainfall in 2019 and 2020, receiving 700.4 mm and 802.7 mm respectively. Rainfall stood at 562.1 mm in 2021 before the city experienced three consecutive wetter monsoon seasons.
The latest season therefore represents a sharp reversal from the rainfall levels recorded between 2022 and 2024.
Hyderabad Has Seen Deficient Monsoons Before
Hyderabad's rainfall has varied considerably over the past decade. The city received 382 mm in 2014, around 32% below normal, while 2015 recorded 499.2 mm, an 11% deficit.
Rainfall was also around 29% below normal in 2018. The 2026 deficit of 27% places this year's monsoon among the city's more deficient recent seasons.
Urbanisation and Local Climate
The latest rainfall data has also renewed discussion about the impact of rapid urbanisation on Hyderabad's local climate.
Osmania University geography professor B Srinagesh told The Times of India that changes in built-up areas, vegetation cover and water bodies can influence surface temperatures and local atmospheric conditions. Studies of Hyderabad have also examined the urban heat-island effect.
Across the GHMC, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation areas, cumulative rainfall was 456.6 mm against a normal 618.9 mm, representing a 26% deficit.
The 2026 monsoon ended amid a broader rainfall shortfall across Telangana, with 18 of the state's 33 districts recording deficient rainfall even though the state as a whole remained in the IMD's normal category.
