10/07/2026
𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟰% 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗺𝘂 & 𝗞𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗶𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀; 𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁
Srinagar, July 10: Jammu and Kashmir ended June 2026 with a 24% rainfall deficit, receiving 57.9 mm of rainfall against the normal 75.9 mm. The month also marked the eighth consecutive month of below-normal precipitation, extending the persistent deficit streak that began in November 2025.
Although the overall rainfall remained below normal, June stood apart from the previous deficit months due to the frequent spells of light to moderate rain witnessed across the Union Territory. Unlike earlier months, when much of the rainfall occurred during just one or two weather systems, June experienced recurring spells spread throughout the month.
According to rainfall data, Baramulla (+34%), Ganderbal (+24%), Poonch (+37%), Pulwama (+9%), Samba (+22%), and Udhampur (+6%) recorded surplus rainfall during the month.
Districts that remained in deficit included Jammu (-5%), Kupwara (-7%), Ramban (-13%), Anantnag (-14%), Doda (-16%), Bandipora (-28%), Srinagar (-29%), Budgam (-31%), Kathua (-39%), Reasi (-44%), Rajouri (-51%), Kulgam (-53%), Shopian (-69%), and Kishtwar (-70%).
In Ladakh, the month concluded with a 126% rainfall surplus, receiving 6.5 mm against the normal 2.9 mm. While Leh recorded an exceptional 198% surplus with 8.2 mm of rainfall against a normal of 2.6 mm, Kargil remained in deficit, recording 1.3 mm against 4.0 mm, a 69% shortfall.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁?
While a 24% rainfall deficit is certainly a concern, the nature of rainfall during June was considerably more favourable than in many previous deficit months.
Instead of receiving most of the month's rainfall in one or two heavy events, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed frequent, well-distributed rain spells through much of June. Such a rainfall pattern is generally more beneficial from a hydrological perspective, as repeated light to moderate showers allow more water to infiltrate into the soil, gradually recharging groundwater, improving soil moisture, and helping sustain the flow of springs, streams and rivers.
In contrast, when a month's rainfall is concentrated in only a few intense spells, a significant portion of the water is lost as surface runoff, reducing the efficiency of groundwater recharge despite higher rainfall totals.
However, the repeated rain spells were still not enough to offset the overall rainfall deficit, and Jammu and Kashmir finished June 24% below normal. The continuation of an eight-month-long precipitation deficit remains a matter of concern, particularly for long-term water resources, agriculture and hydrological conditions if the trend persists.
Another notable feature of June was the higher frequency of hailstorm events, with several parts of Jammu and Kashmir experiencing hail accompanied by thunderstorms, causing localized damage to orchards and agricultural fields.
Overall, while June did not meet its climatological rainfall normal, the distribution of rainfall was considerably more beneficial than many earlier deficit months. The widespread and recurring showers likely provided better groundwater recharge and helped sustain water resources more effectively than isolated heavy rainfall events, offering some relief despite the continued precipitation deficit.
𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: 𝗞𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
