The reduced monsoon rainfall is expected to negatively impact crop yields, particularly for rice, sugarcane, and corn, which are already lagging behind last season's planting levels. This could exacerbate food inflation, which has risen for seven consecutive months, reaching 5.95% in August. The government has taken measures such as allowing duty-free sugar imports and subsidising onion prices to mitigate the impact of rising food costs. However, the prolonged shortfall may also affect the next crop cycle, further straining food supplies and prices.