Key facts
- El Niño conditions have officially developed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- The phenomenon is expected to strengthen during India's June-September southwest monsoon season.
- El Niño is historically linked to weaker monsoon rains, higher temperatures, and agricultural stress in India.
- Potential impacts include hotter weather, erratic rainfall, water shortages, and reduced crop yields.
- Lower agricultural output could lead to higher food prices, affecting household budgets.
- El Niño does not guarantee drought, as other climate factors can influence monsoon strength.
El Niño conditions have officially developed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This natural climate phenomenon, characterized by warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, is expected to strengthen during India's upcoming southwest monsoon season.
Historically, El Niño events have been associated with weaker monsoon rains, increased temperatures, and significant stress on India's agriculture, which relies heavily on monsoon rainfall. The IMD has already projected that the country could receive below-normal monsoon rainfall this year, with El Niño being a primary contributing factor.