El Niño Phenomenon Linked To Delayed Monsoon Onset In India
As June draws to a close, much of India awaits the decisive arrival of the monsoon. While scattered showers have occurred in recent weeks, meteorologists confirm these do not constitute the effective onset of the rainy season. Scientists have attributed the delay to El Niño, a naturally occurring climate pattern caused by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean that disrupts global weather patterns.
El Niño has already influenced India's 2026 weather, contributing to prolonged pre-monsoon heat and a sluggish monsoon start. The India Meteorological Department projects seasonal rainfall at around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average. The southwest monsoon's arrival over Kerala was delayed, with many regions recording rainfall deficits exceeding 60 per cent in early June.
Central India, northwestern regions, and parts of southern peninsular India may face below-average rainfall, while northeastern states are expected to receive near-normal amounts. The delayed rains pose significant risks to agriculture, particularly for kharif crops including paddy, pulses, and oilseeds.
