India, July 01 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast below-normal rainfall across much of the country during July 2026 after India recorded its fifth-driest June since 1901. Officials attributed the weak monsoon conditions to the developing El Niño pattern, warning that the rainfall deficit could affect kharif crop sowing, water availability and agricultural output. However, some regions in northwest, northeast and east-central India are expected to receive near-normal rainfall during the month.