India braces for El Niño’s effect on monsoon and water supplies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned at the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog that El Niño conditions developing in the Pacific are likely to influence India’s weather from mid‑2026, potentially weakening the southwest monsoon, intensifying heatwaves and increasing water stress. He urged states to strengthen water‑conservation measures, adopt sustainable resource management and invest in climate‑resilient technologies.

Meteorologists note that a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, which may develop in July, could partially offset El Niño’s drying effect by enhancing late‑season rainfall. This could help protect kharif crops and replenish reservoirs, but uncertainty remains about the strength of El Niño and whether the dipole will materialise, keeping preparedness a priority.