Forecasts indicate El Niño to grow stronger during monsoon: IMD

AI Summary

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts an intensification of El Niño conditions over the equatorial Pacific Ocean during the monsoon season, potentially weakening monsoon rainfall. Policymakers are advised to implement contingency measures in vulnerable districts identified by the agriculture ministry.

“El Niño conditions are present over equatorial Pacific Ocean and are expected to strengthen during monsoon season,” IMD said, while announcing the advent of the condition — warming of ocean waters in central and eastern equatorial Pacific — that’s invariably linked with weak monsoon in India. The latest forecast could be used by policymakers to immediately activate contingency measures in all 197 districts across the country that have been identified by the agriculture ministry as most vulnerable to impacts of El Niño.