New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that September 2025 will bring above-normal rainfall across much of the country, with the monthly average expected to exceed 109 percent of the long-term average of 167.9 mm. The forecast comes after an already turbulent monsoon season marked by widespread flooding, landslides, and heavy downpours that disrupted normal life in several states. According to IMD projections, most regions will receive normal to above-normal rainfall, though parts of northeast, east, extreme southern peninsular India, and select pockets of northwest India may record below-normal rainfall.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, in an online briefing, cautioned that heavy rainfall during September could significantly raise the risk of flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand, where numerous rivers originate. He warned that excessive rainfall in these catchment areas could swell rivers, affecting downstream cities and towns across north India. The IMD chief also flagged the possibility of disruptions in south Haryana, Delhi, and north Rajasthan due to heavy downpours during the month, urging state authorities to prepare for potential emergencies.

The forecast further highlighted the likelihood of intense rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river in Chhattisgarh, which could aggravate flooding in downstream regions. With the monsoon season already linked to devastating incidents across the country, the IMD has advised state governments and disaster management agencies to stay on high alert. The above-normal rainfall outlook underscores the dual challenge of managing agricultural benefits while safeguarding lives and infrastructure from extreme weather events.