The predicted El Niño conditions could result in delayed or deficient monsoons, prolonged dry spells, and extreme heat spikes, particularly affecting South India. This poses risks to crops like banana, cardamom, and ginger, as well as broader impacts on food production, rural incomes, and migration patterns. Heavy rain days have increased in 64% of tehsils, exacerbating flooding and nutrient loss in fields. Vulnerable groups, including small farmers, women workers, and informal enterprises, are likely to face the greatest challenges.