February saw lowest rainfall in northwest India in five years. Reason: weaker western disturbances

western disturbances travel eastward with westerly winds. They make for the primary source of rainfall and snowfall in northwest and north India in winter months.Though the number of western disturbances in the last three months was the highest in the last five years, their intensity was lower resulting in the highest rain deficit in the months those years."A majority of the western disturbances that influenced India during the winter season, especially during December to February, were feeble, resulting in below-normal rainfall and limited snowfall activity across large parts of northwestern India," said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).Northwest India recorded rainfall deficits of 86.8% in February and 12% in January.

In December 2025, the region saw an 84.8% precipitation shortfall, according to IMD data.In February, nine western disturbances were recorded over North India, compared to four in January and eight in December, against the usual monthly average of five to six. However, most were weak in intensity.

While the frequency exceeded climatological averages in some months, low intensity prevented widespread precipitation.Western disturbances play a critical role in sustaining rabi, as winter crops are called in India, and horticultural crops. Adequate winter rainfall improves soil moisture and reduces irrigation dependence, particularly in less-irrigated and hilly states."Crops in hilly states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand depend on western disturbance-induced rains, as these states don't have a well-irrigated network.