El Nino

Forecasters warn of a Super El Niño that could have major consequences for India

Despite a rise in production in recent years, India still depends on fertiliser imports to meet its demand.

As North India reels under brutal heatwave conditions, all eyes are now on a weather system gathering strength far to the South.

India's southwest monsoon, which delivers nearly 70% of the country's annual rainfall between June and September, is the backbone of its agriculture and water supply. And El Nino, historically, has been its enemy.

Forecasters say a strong El Nino is likely to return by late 2026, and India's weather office is already warning of a below-normal monsoon for hundreds of millions of farmers.

The latest spell marks one of the most widespread and severe heat episodes of the season so far, with dry continental winds and intense solar heating combining to rapidly push temperatures high.

In a country where weather and welfare are so closely linked, this monsoon season carries heavy weight for India's 1.4 billion people.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued heatwave warnings for Delhi and several states on May 17, even as heavy rain is forecast across the northeast and south.

Around 60% of Indian farmers are entirely dependent on monsoon rainfall for the kharif crop season, making the stakes for this year’s rains exceptionally high.

The decision comes as authorities try to prevent a rise in domestic sugar prices at a time when food inflation remains politically and economically sensitive for Indian households.

The development puts Chennai at risk, conjuring memories of the 2015 floods, which devastated large parts of the city, during a similar strong El Nino phase.

With meteorological agencies already forecasting the return of El Nino by year's end, and some even predicting a super El Nino expected to hit soon, the findings appear timely.

A Super El Nino is a rare, extreme version of the Pacific Ocean warming cycle, and scientists warn one may be forming right now. With India's monsoon already forecast to be below normal, here is what this climate event means and why it matters to every Indian.

On May 7, a region in Uttar Pradesh recorded a maximum temperature of just 26°C, making it the coolest May day ever measured there. What's happening?

A study tracked 12 neighbouring groups of white-faced capuchin monkeys across three decades, combining on-the-ground observations of 335 individual animals with satellite data measuring forest conditions.

Climate shocks reduce production, wars disrupt supply chains, tariffs restrict trade, and heat amplifies losses. Each factor feeds into the other, creating a fragile system with limited room for error.

This week’s edition of Climate On My Plate explores how rising global temperatures could threaten India’s deep reliance on milk, affecting production levels, supply stability and prices as climate change puts increasing stress on dairy farming.

India's grid faces a "double-peak" pattern, when daytime demand is partly cushioned by solar power, but evening peaks, driven by air conditioners and fans, continue to rely heavily on coal-fired power.

The BMC has announced a 10 per cent water cut in Mumbai from May 15 after a pre-monsoon review. The move follows low lake levels and concerns that an El Niño-linked weak monsoon could delay relief.

Heat waves have hit 11 states. Banda, in UP, touched 47.4°C. And forecasters say a possible Super El Nino could stretch the heat through 2026.