The weak monsoon is likely to impact agricultural output, particularly summer-sown crops like cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses, as well as winter crops such as wheat and rapeseed due to depleted soil moisture. This could lead to higher food prices and reduced rural incomes in India, the world's fifth-largest economy. Except for some eastern states, most regions are expected to receive below-average rainfall in September, further widening the seasonal deficit. Historically, El Nino years have caused severe droughts in India, disrupting crop production and necessitating restrictions on grain exports.