World · 13 April 2026
India's monsoon forecast below normal as El Niño fears grow
Unsplash / Robert Eklund
India's weather agency IMD has predicted below-normal monsoon rainfall at 92% of the long-period average for 2026, raising concerns about food production and water supplies in the world's most populous country. The forecast is linked to growing El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean that typically weaken Indian monsoon patterns. A poor monsoon would add further pressure to global food prices already elevated by the Iran war's disruption to fertiliser supply chains.
Reported by News24 India / IMD · How we write briefs