New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that El Nino conditions have developed over the Pacific Ocean and are expected to strengthen during the ongoing southwest monsoon, raising concerns about rainfall patterns, agriculture, and water resources across the country.
According to the weather agency, El Nino is likely to intensify in the coming months and could influence the distribution of monsoon rainfall. While the monsoon has already advanced into several parts of India, experts warn that stronger El Nino conditions may lead to below normal rainfall in some regions and increase the risk of dry spells during the crucial crop growing season.
El Nino is a climate phenomenon caused by warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Historically, many El Nino years have been associated with weaker monsoon performance in India, although its impact can vary depending on other weather factors such as the Indian Ocean Dipole.
The IMD has advised close monitoring of weather conditions as the phenomenon develops. A weaker monsoon could affect kharif crops, strain water supplies, and add pressure on food prices. Climate experts also caution that El Nino often contributes to higher temperatures and more frequent heatwave conditions.
Despite the warning, meteorologists stress that El Nino does not automatically mean drought. The final outcome will depend on how other atmospheric and oceanic systems interact with the monsoon over the coming weeks.
With the monsoon season now underway, farmers, policymakers, and weather experts will be closely watching the evolving El Nino conditions and their impact on India’s rainfall outlook.
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