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El Nino impact on India's monsoon

24 entries over 73 days, from 21 June 2026 to 1 September 2026.

01
21 June

El Niño impact on India's monsoon

  • El Niño is the periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
  • NOAA confirmed an El Niño event with a 63% probability of it becoming a 'super' (very strong) event by northern winter.
02
24 June

El Nino impact on agriculture

  • El Nino-induced delay in the southwest monsoon has resulted in rainfall being 43% below normal levels.
  • The Union Ministry of Agriculture has identified 315 districts as vulnerable to weak monsoon conditions.
03
24 June

Monsoon onset in Mumbai

  • The southwest monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday, marking a 13-day delay from the normal onset date of June 10.
  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the monsoon's advancement into the central Arabian Sea, parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
04
25 June

Monsoon deficit and El Niño impact

  • Southwest monsoon deficit increased from 35% to 43% nationwide.
  • El Niño (moderate-to-strong) suppresses vertical air movement and weakens moisture-bearing trade winds.
05
1 July

IMD monsoon forecast and agricultural impact

  • IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall for July, defined as less than 94% of the long-period average.
  • India recorded a 40% monsoon deficit in June, with 99.5 mm of rainfall, the fifth lowest since 1901.
06
4 July

Chhattisgarh government's agricultural advice amid El Nino

  • El Nino is the periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which typically weakens the South Asian monsoon.
  • Chhattisgarh government has advised farmers to adopt short to medium duration crop varieties to mitigate rainfall uncertainty during the kharif season.
07
6 July

Maharashtra heavy rain and casualties

  • Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra has resulted in three deaths and four injuries across Mumbai, Thane, and Satara.
  • Incidents include tree falls, drowning in a swollen river, and landslides blocking traffic near Rajmachi Fort.
08
7 July

El Nino impact on India's power output

  • El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific are expected to strengthen through the monsoon, leading to below-normal rainfall.
  • CREA projects a potential power generation gap of 17.7 to 24 TWh over one year due to reduced wind and hydropower output and increased cooling demand.
09
7 July

Landslide and rain impact in Pune

  • Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra, specifically Pune and Mumbai, has resulted in significant infrastructure disruption and loss of life.
  • A landslide in Patan village, Maval taluka, Pune, resulted in three fatalities and ongoing rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
10
9 July

Monsoon progress and kharif sowing

  • Union Agriculture Ministry is monitoring monsoon progress in the context of El Niño conditions.
  • National rainfall deficit improved from 33% in June to 24% in July.
11
9 July

Exceptional rainfall in Maharashtra

  • Lonavala recorded 1,300 mm of rainfall between Sunday and Wednesday morning, with 525 mm on Tuesday alone.
  • IMD classifies rainfall exceeding 200 mm as 'extremely high'.
12
9 July

Building collapse at Pune waste plant

  • Incident: Under-construction building collapse at a waste-to-energy plant in Moshi, Pune, Maharashtra.
  • Casualties: 18 workers trapped initially; 7 rescued, 11 remain trapped.
13
10 July

Monsoon coverage and rainfall patterns

  • The southwest monsoon covered the entire country on July 9, one day later than the normal date.
  • The monsoon reached Kerala on June 5, taking 35 days to cover the entire country.
14
10 July

Flood damage to LPG cylinders in Raigad

  • Heavy rainfall in Raigad, Maharashtra, led to flooding of the HPCL LPG bottling plant in Panvel taluka.
  • Approximately 3,000 LPG cylinders (both filled and empty) were swept into the Patalganga river by floodwaters.
15
12 July

Pune waste processing unit collapse

  • Incident: Collapse of a three-storey administrative building at a waste-to-energy plant in Moshi, near Pune.
  • Cause: An adjacent mound of garbage gave way, falling onto the building like a landslide.
16
13 July

Pune building collapse tragedy

  • Incident: Collapse of a three-storey administrative building at a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Moshi, Pune district.
  • Cause: An adjacent mound of garbage collapsed onto the structure, functioning like a landslide.
17
20 July

Karnataka drought management

  • Karnataka is experiencing a significant rainfall deficit affecting 25 out of 31 districts.
  • Current sowing operations in the state are at 32% of the expected levels.
18
28 July

Karnataka MPs' meeting on State issues

  • Karnataka state government convened a meeting of all state Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs in New Delhi.
  • The primary objective is to discuss pending state proposals and seek bipartisan support for Central assistance during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
19
1 August

IMD rainfall forecast

  • IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall for August, expected to be less than 94% of the Long Period Average (LPA).
  • Below-normal rainfall is projected for the second half of the southwest monsoon season (August-September).
20
3 August

Tamil Nadu weather outlook

  • Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) outlook for August indicates normal or above-normal rainfall for most parts of Tamil Nadu, excluding the Western Ghats.
  • Coastal Tamil Nadu is expected to receive normal or above-average rainfall, while interior districts are likely to record normal rainfall.
21
5 August

Karnataka monsoon rainfall deficit

  • Karnataka experienced a cumulative southwest monsoon rainfall deficit of 29% between June 1 and August 4.
  • Data provided by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) indicates 357 mm of actual rainfall against a normal of 506 mm for the period.
22
6 August

Tamil Nadu weather and water management

  • Tamil Nadu rainfall: Widespread thundershowers in early August have reduced the state's overall rain deficit from 18% (as of August 1) to 14%.
  • Meteorological factors: Wet spell driven by an upper air cyclonic circulation off north coastal Tamil Nadu and weather systems over south interior Karnataka and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
23
26 August

2026 monsoon climate model predictions

  • Climate models successfully predicted the 2026 El Niño and the 2023 monsoon deficit (94% of long-period average).
  • Current models struggle with subseasonal and local-scale spatial and temporal evolution of the monsoon.
24
1 September

IMD forecast for September rainfall

  • IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall for September, at least 9% short of the long-period average of 167.9 mm.
  • August 2026 was the hottest since 1901, with a mean temperature of 28.01 degrees Celsius (0.67 degrees above normal).

Questions from this story

Newest first. A story that ran for 73 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

  1. Analyze the impact of El Niño and atmospheric circulation patterns on the spatial distribution of monsoon rainfall in India, with reference to recent meteorological trends. 150 words · 1 September
  2. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and temperature anomalies poses a significant challenge to India's agricultural stability. Discuss the role of the India Meteorological Department in climate monitoring and the implications of shifting monsoon patterns for national food security. 250 words · 1 September
  3. Discuss the limitations of current climate models in predicting the subseasonal and spatial evolution of the Indian Monsoon. How can the integration of Artificial Intelligence help address these gaps? 150 words · 26 August
  4. The increasing unpredictability of the monsoon poses significant challenges to India's food security and economic development. Analyze the role of multi-tiered prediction systems and the necessity of co-producing climate services with stakeholders to mitigate these risks. 250 words · 26 August
  5. Discuss the role of inter-state water gauging stations and the Central Water Commission in managing river water disputes between riparian states in India. 150 words · 6 August
  6. Examine the challenges of urban water security in India, with special reference to the integration of traditional reservoirs and modern buffer storage infrastructure in metropolitan areas. 250 words · 6 August
  7. Analyze the implications of erratic monsoon patterns on state-level disaster management frameworks in India, with reference to the recent rainfall trends in Karnataka. 150 words · 5 August
  8. Analyze the spatial variability of rainfall patterns in Tamil Nadu during the southwest monsoon and the factors influencing temperature anomalies in the region. 150 words · 3 August
  9. Explain the role of climatic phenomena like El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in influencing the southwest monsoon rainfall in India. How do these factors impact agricultural planning and food security? 150 words · 1 August
  10. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plays a pivotal role in disaster management and agricultural stability in India. Discuss the challenges in achieving accurate long-range monsoon forecasting and the importance of regional rainfall distribution analysis for sustainable development. 250 words · 1 August
  11. Discuss the significance of inter-state and state-centre coordination in managing natural calamities like drought. How can the parliamentary mechanism be effectively utilized to ensure timely fiscal and administrative support for states under the federal framework? 150 words · 28 July
  12. Examine the challenges in drought management in India, specifically focusing on the role of district-level administration in ensuring water security and agricultural support during periods of rainfall deficit. 150 words · 20 July
  13. Discuss the institutional mechanisms required for effective drought mitigation in India. How can the integration of real-time data verification and proactive resource allocation improve the resilience of the agrarian sector against climate-induced water stress? 250 words · 20 July
  14. Urban waste management facilities often face significant structural and environmental risks. In light of the recent building collapse at a waste-to-energy plant, discuss the necessity of integrating rigorous disaster risk assessment protocols in the planning and maintenance of municipal solid waste infrastructure. 150 words · 13 July
  15. The recent collapse of infrastructure due to proximity to waste disposal sites highlights critical gaps in urban planning and disaster management. Discuss the challenges associated with the structural stability of facilities located near solid waste landfills. 150 words · 12 July
  16. Urban solid waste management remains a significant challenge in India's rapidly growing cities. Examine the environmental and safety risks posed by legacy waste dumps and suggest a framework for integrating disaster risk reduction into municipal waste management policies. 250 words · 12 July
  17. The recent incident of industrial infrastructure being compromised by floodwaters in Maharashtra highlights the vulnerability of critical supply chains. Discuss the need for integrating disaster resilience into the siting and safety protocols of hazardous industrial facilities located in flood-prone zones. 150 words · 10 July
  18. Analyze the relationship between the geographical progression of the southwest monsoon and the overall seasonal rainfall in India. Why is the date of nationwide coverage not a reliable indicator of agricultural output? 150 words · 10 July
  19. Discuss the impact of climate phenomena like El Niño on the Indian monsoon circulation. How should India adapt its agricultural and disaster management strategies to mitigate the risks of erratic rainfall patterns? 250 words · 10 July
  20. Discuss the challenges associated with the structural safety of infrastructure projects located in proximity to waste management facilities, particularly in the context of extreme weather events. 150 words · 9 July
  21. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models are increasingly utilized for urban infrastructure development. Analyze the risks associated with site management and worker safety in such projects, and suggest mechanisms to enhance regulatory oversight. 250 words · 9 July
  22. Analyze the meteorological factors contributing to extreme rainfall events in the Western Ghats and discuss the challenges they pose for disaster management in ecologically sensitive regions. 150 words · 9 July
  23. The occurrence of extreme weather events during a predicted 'below normal' monsoon year highlights the complexity of climate variability. Discuss the limitations of long-range monsoon forecasting and the necessity for robust disaster preparedness strategies in India. 250 words · 9 July
  24. Analyze the impact of monsoon variability on kharif crop sowing patterns in India and discuss the institutional mechanisms available to mitigate agricultural risks during deficient rainfall years. 150 words · 9 July
  25. Discuss the challenges posed by extreme weather events to critical infrastructure in the Western Ghats region. How can disaster-resilient infrastructure planning mitigate the impact of landslides and urban flooding? 150 words · 7 July
  26. The increasing frequency of landslides and urban flooding in India highlights the need for a paradigm shift in disaster management. Analyze the role of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the importance of integrating environmental impact assessments into large-scale infrastructure projects. 250 words · 7 July
  27. Examine the impact of climate-induced weather patterns like El Nino on India's energy security and the challenges in transitioning to a renewable-heavy grid. 150 words · 7 July
  28. A deficient monsoon poses significant risks to India's macroeconomic stability. Discuss the transmission mechanisms through which agricultural distress affects the broader economy and evaluate the efficacy of current drought-proofing measures. 250 words · 7 July
  29. Discuss the challenges faced by urban infrastructure in coastal cities like Mumbai during extreme monsoon events and suggest measures for enhancing disaster resilience. 150 words · 6 July
  30. The frequency of extreme weather events in India necessitates a paradigm shift in disaster management from reactive relief to proactive mitigation. Elaborate on the role of State Disaster Management Authorities in implementing this shift, with reference to recent urban flooding incidents. 250 words · 6 July
  31. Discuss the significance of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) as a climate-resilient agricultural practice in the context of monsoon variability in India. 150 words · 4 July
  32. How does the El Nino phenomenon impact India's agricultural productivity? Examine the adaptive strategies that state governments can implement to ensure food security during periods of rainfall uncertainty. 250 words · 4 July
  33. Analyze the impact of El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole on the Indian southwest monsoon. How do these climate patterns influence agricultural productivity and water security in India? 150 words · 1 July
  34. Discuss the challenges posed by erratic monsoon patterns to India's food security. Suggest institutional and technological measures required for effective agricultural contingency planning and water resource management. 250 words · 1 July
  35. The recurring challenge of monsoon deficits in India necessitates a shift from rain-centric to water-centric agricultural planning. Discuss the strategies required to enhance resilience in the rural economy against climate-induced rainfall variability. 150 words · 25 June
  36. El Niño events pose significant risks to India's food security and macroeconomic stability. In the context of fragmented governance between various ministries and meteorological agencies, evaluate the need for a unified institutional framework to manage water resources and cropping patterns during climate stress. 250 words · 25 June
  37. Discuss the significance of the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) role in disaster management and agricultural planning, specifically in the context of delayed monsoon onset in urban centers like Mumbai. 150 words · 24 June
  38. Discuss the significance of District Agriculture Contingency Plans in mitigating the impact of climate-induced monsoon variability on rain-fed agriculture in India. 150 words · 24 June
  39. Analyze the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to climate phenomena like El Nino. How can the integration of rural employment schemes with water conservation infrastructure enhance the climate resilience of the agrarian economy? 250 words · 24 June
  40. Explain the mechanism of El Niño and discuss its influence on the Indian Summer Monsoon. How do regional factors like the Indian Ocean Dipole modulate this impact? 150 words · 21 June
  41. Climate change is altering the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events globally. In the context of the Indian monsoon, analyze how a 'super' El Niño event poses a challenge to food security and fiscal planning in India. 250 words · 21 June