Is the Indian subcontinent in drought?

The Indian subcontinent is currently experiencing a complex pattern of hydroclimatic stress, with both drought and excessive rainfall reported in different regions as of October 2025. While some areas have seen above-average rainfall and flooding, significant drought conditions persist in critical basins, especially the Ganga River and northern India. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also seeing hardship from drought and water shortages, despite some regions facing floods.india.mongabay+4​

Current Situation Across the Region

• India: Major drought concerns are centered on the Ganga River basin, which is experiencing its most severe drought in over a millennium, driven by reduced monsoon precipitation, groundwater depletion, and global warming. Elsewhere, erratic rainfall patterns mean areas such as Marathwada and other historically dry regions have endured devastating floods this year, causing crop losses but not resolving underlying water deficits. Despite above-normal precipitation in some parts, about 19% of India is currently facing drought or drought-like conditions due to high temperatures and evapotranspiration rates that rapidly deplete soil moisture. Northeast and Himalayan regions also face volatility due to unpredictable monsoon patterns.india.mongabay+3​

• Pakistan: Large sections of Pakistan, particularly the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, reported significantly below-average rainfall in late 2024 and early 2025, severe enough to be classified as drought in many parts.isciences​

• Bangladesh & Sri Lanka: Both countries are experiencing episodes of drought and water shortages in 2025, adding to hardship in rural areas. Sri Lanka, with a large portion of its agricultural land in the dry zone, remains highly climate-vulnerable.bwi+1​

Regional Water and Climate Dynamics

• The subcontinent’s water insecurity is accentuated by climate change, which is amplifying periods of drought and flood simultaneously.halifax.citynews​

• Key regions such as north and eastern India are witnessing streamflow declines in major rivers, while “wet droughts” (crop loss from intense and untimely rainfall) occur in traditionally arid areas.india.mongabay+1​

• In summary, while not every part of the Indian subcontinent is in drought right now, large areas remain water-stressed, particularly in the Ganga basin, northwestern India, Pakistan’s west, and rural parts of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These conditions are causing acute agricultural, ecological, and societal impacts.vajiraoinstitute+4​

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