During El Niño years, the Indian summer monsoon often arrives late and becomes irregular, as reported by farmers in Chhattisgarh and other regions. For example, in one instance, the monsoon arrived 10 days later than usual, leading to increased irrigation costs and narrow windows for applying fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers also reported pest outbreaks and higher labour costs due to competition for resources. These disruptions not only affect crop yields but also increase production costs, putting additional financial strain on farmers.