Key facts
- India recorded its driest June in 12 years.
- Millions of farmers in India rely on monsoon rains for summer crops.
- Crop sowing in India is down significantly.
- Rice planting in India has been particularly affected.
- Government stocks offer a buffer for India's food supply.
- El Niño conditions are present globally.
- There is a 63% chance of El Niño intensifying into an extremely strong event.
- An extremely strong El Niño event is possible by late 2026.
- El Niño poses significant risks to global agriculture.
- Vulnerable regions facing conflict and economic stress are particularly at risk.
India is confronting its driest June in 12 years, a development that is heightening concerns for the nation's agricultural sector. Millions of farmers rely heavily on the annual monsoon rains to cultivate their summer crops, and the current deficit poses a significant threat to their livelihoods and food security. Crop sowing activities have seen a substantial decline across the country. Rice planting, a staple crop for India, has been particularly impacted by the lack of adequate rainfall. Despite these challenges, existing government stocks of food grains are expected to provide a degree of buffer against immediate shortages.