The weak monsoon has a direct impact on agriculture, particularly on kharif and rabi crops. In 2026, kharif sowing was 1.2% below the previous year’s levels, with rice acreage falling by 3.6% and cotton by 1%. Reservoir storage also dropped significantly, especially in southern India, where levels were 36 percentage points below the previous year. This poses challenges for irrigation-dependent rabi crops like rice and wheat, which are crucial for food security.