Average Rainfall in Indian States and Union Territories
India receives rainfall from several weather systems, but the amount of rainfall varies dramatically across the country. The northeastern hills and parts of the Western Ghats receive some of the highest rainfall in India, while Rajasthan and other parts of northwestern India are considerably drier.
According to rainfall statistics published by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meghalaya is one of India’s highest-rainfall regions, while Rajasthan has among the lowest annual rainfall totals. IMD’s state-wise rainfall statistics also show the strong geographical variation in India’s rainfall distribution.
Average Rainfall in Indian States and UTs
The table below ranks Indian states and Union Territories by average annual rainfall. Click the column headings to sort the data.
|
Rank ↕ Sort |
State / UT ↕ Sort |
Average Annual Rainfall (mm) ↕ Sort |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meghalaya | 3,837.1 |
| 2 | Goa | 3,266.9 |
| 3 | Sikkim | 2,971.6 |
| 4 | Arunachal Pradesh | 2,933.7 |
| 5 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 2,926.3 |
| 6 | Kerala | 2,924.3 |
| 7 | Mizoram | 2,626.8 |
| 8 | Tripura | 2,475.3 |
| 9 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 2,374.1 |
| 10 | Assam | 2,296.8 |
| 11 | Manipur | 2,039.8 |
| 12 | Nagaland | 1,959.8 |
| 13 | West Bengal | 1,795.8 |
| 14 | Daman & Diu | 1,775.2 |
| 15 | Lakshadweep | 1,600.0 |
| 16 | Uttarakhand | 1,580.9 |
| 17 | Odisha | 1,460.5 |
| 18 | Puducherry | 1,391.3 |
| 19 | Himachal Pradesh | 1,373.9 |
| 20 | Jharkhand | 1,296.3 |
| 21 | Chhattisgarh | 1,290.7 |
| 22 | Bihar | 1,205.6 |
| 23 | Jammu & Kashmir | 1,205.3 |
| 24 | Maharashtra | 1,151.1 |
| 25 | Karnataka | 1,147.2 |
| 26 | Chandigarh | 1,070.6 |
| 27 | Madhya Pradesh | 1,048.4 |
| 28 | Uttar Pradesh | 965.3 |
| 29 | Telangana | 942.6 |
| 30 | Tamil Nadu | 912.4 |
| 31 | Andhra Pradesh | 890.4 |
| 32 | Delhi | 747.1 |
| 33 | Gujarat | 694.8 |
| 34 | Punjab | 635.9 |
| 35 | Haryana | 554.7 |
| 36 | Rajasthan | 463.8 |
Source: India Meteorological Department (IMD). Figures represent long-term annual rainfall normals and are expressed in millimetres (mm).
Which State Gets the Most Rainfall in India?
Meghalaya receives the highest average annual rainfall among the states with an annual normal of approximately 3,837 mm.
The state’s exceptionally high rainfall is closely associated with its location in northeastern India and the surrounding hilly terrain. Moisture-laden monsoon winds are forced to rise over the hills, producing very heavy rainfall.
Other states with very high annual rainfall include Goa, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.
Which State Gets the Least Rainfall in India?
Rajasthan has the lowest annual rainfall normal among the states in the IMD table, at approximately 464 mm.
The state’s low rainfall is largely associated with its location in northwestern India and its arid and semi-arid climate. Western Rajasthan is one of India’s driest regions.
Other relatively low rainfall states and regions include Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and Delhi.
Wettest vs Driest States in India
Wettest vs Driest States in India
Average Annual Rainfall (mm)
Source: India Meteorological Department (IMD)
Why Does Rainfall Vary Across India?
Rainfall varies significantly across India because of the country’s large geographical size, diverse terrain and seasonal monsoon circulation.
Southwest Monsoon
The southwest monsoon is the primary source of rainfall for much of India. June to September is the main rainy season across most of the country.
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats intercept moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea. This produces heavy rainfall along the western slopes and coastal areas.
Himalayas and Northeast India
The Himalayan and northeastern regions receive substantial rainfall because of their terrain and interaction with moisture-bearing monsoon systems.
Distance from the Sea
Coastal regions generally have greater access to moisture, while inland areas can be substantially drier.
Rain-Shadow Effect
Mountain ranges can create very different rainfall conditions on their windward and leeward sides. Areas receiving descending air on the leeward side may receive considerably less rainfall.
Average Rainfall by Region
| Region | Typical Rainfall Pattern |
|---|---|
| Northeast India | Very High |
| Western Coast | High |
| Himalayan Region | Moderate to High |
| Eastern India | Moderate to High |
| Central India | Moderate |
| Northern Plains | Moderate to Low |
| Northwestern India | Low |
| Western Rajasthan | Very Low |
Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India