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El Niño

El Niño is a periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific that alters wind and rainfall patterns worldwide. In India, El Niño years are frequently associated with weaker monsoons and higher temperatures.

Why It Matters

A weather pattern thousands of kilometres away can raise the price of dal in India.

In India

A strengthening El Niño in 2026 contributed to a monsoon running about 15% below normal by mid-September.

See it in the news
The driest monsoon since 2009? What a 15% rain deficit does to your plateSep 18, 2026RBI holds for a fifth time, and warns inflation could hit 5.9%Aug 6, 2026IMD says a below-normal monsoon. El Niño is back.May 29, 2026
Related Terms
MonsoonFood InflationKharif Crops
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