India Faces Below-Normal Monsoon Rainfall Amid El Niño Concerns
India Faces Below-Normal Monsoon Rainfall Amid El Niño Concerns
India · Published Oct 11, 2026
• India is experiencing below-normal monsoon rainfall this year, with only 19.2 mm of rain recorded between 4 June and 15 June, compared to the average of 53.7 mm for the same period.
• Satellite images from 15 June revealed clear skies in areas where monsoon clouds are typically expected.

Impact & Risks

The below-normal monsoon rainfall poses significant risks to India's agriculture-dependent economy. Rain-fed crops such as bajra, maize, groundnut, and tur are particularly vulnerable, while rice is less affected due to better irrigation coverage. A 1% shortfall in monsoon rainfall has historically been linked to a 0.4% decline in crop Gross Value Added (GVA) growth. Additionally, elevated temperatures could worsen food inflation, particularly affecting sensitive commodities like vegetables and milk. Weak monsoons are also associated with reduced rural wage growth, increased demand for government employment schemes like MGNREGA, and delayed purchases of agricultural equipment.

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