El Niño intensifies drought in six Indian states, impacting agriculture
El Niño intensifies drought in six Indian states, impacting agriculture
IN · Published Nov 5, 2026
• India is facing significant agricultural challenges due to the intensifying El Niño phenomenon, which is causing erratic rainfall and heatwaves.
• A report by Climate Trends highlights the cascading impacts of climate change on India's food economy, including drought conditions in six states: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Impact & Risks

The drought and extreme weather events are severely affecting farmers in six states, with significant crop losses reported. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan, paddy, maize, and groundnut crops have been heavily impacted. The cascading effects of climate change are also driving up food prices, straining household budgets, and threatening food security. Livestock productivity is declining due to heat stress, costing India an estimated Rs 2,661 crore annually in lost milk production. The report warns that these challenges will persist and intensify without urgent action.

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