Super El Niño Threatens Indian Farmers as Monsoon Delays 2026

The super El Niño is wreaking havoc on Indian farmers as the monsoon arrives late, leaving fields dry and crops at risk. In Odisha's Ganjam district, the Raja festival—a celebration of fertility and the earth—passed without the usual rains, highlighting the severity of this climate crisis. Farmers like Kasturi Gamango and Pramila Sabar face an uncertain future as they brace for extreme weather patterns linked to this powerful El Niño event.

Understanding the Super El Niño Phenomenon

El Niño is a natural climate cycle characterized by warming ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which disrupts weather patterns globally. A "super" El Niño is an extreme version, with sea surface temperatures exceeding 2°C above normal. This intensifies impacts, including weaker monsoons in India, leading to delayed and uneven rainfall, dry spells, and extreme heat.

According to global experts, the current super El Niño is expected to intensify rapidly from July to September, exacerbating conditions for millions of farmers who depend on monsoon rains for their livelihoods. The Indian Meteorological Department reported a 40% shortfall in June rainfall, and even with recent excess rain, drought effects persist.

Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods

In Laxmipur, farmers like Mangala Sabar, 45, recall the devastating 2023-24 El Niño years when transplanting attempts failed twice, leading to total crop loss. Sanjith Mandal, 24, shares how his family took a high-interest loan of 30,000 rupees (£235) to manage expenses after crops failed. These stories are echoed across the region, where at least 19 droughts have occurred in the past 50 years.

The lack of irrigation facilities compounds the problem, leaving farmers with no buffer against erratic rainfall. Many have cautiously sown seeds in paddy fields, hoping for timely rains, but the risk of failure remains high.

Data Table: El Niño Impact on Indian Monsoon

Adaptation Strategies for Farmers

To mitigate the effects of super El Niño, farmers are adopting several strategies, though resources remain limited. Key measures include:

• Drought-resistant crop varieties that require less water.
• Rainwater harvesting and micro-irrigation systems.
• Diversifying income through off-farm activities.
• Government support for crop insurance and subsidies.

However, these solutions require investment and policy backing, which many smallholder farmers lack. Community-based approaches and improved forecasting are also critical to building resilience.

FAQ

As the super El Niño continues to unfold, the resilience of Indian farmers is being tested. Immediate action from policymakers and communities is essential to safeguard food security and rural livelihoods.