As India’s southwest monsoon nears its end, analysis from Down To Earth shows that approximately 47% of districts identified as vulnerable to El Niño are experiencing deficient rainfall. These 147 districts, spread across 25 states and Union Territories, include 40 ‘high-priority’ districts with less than 25% irrigation coverage.
These high-priority districts are most at risk of farm distress due to their reliance on monsoon rains. Around 36% of these most vulnerable agricultural districts have received deficient or largely deficient rainfall. The analysis indicates deepening farm distress, crop losses, and emerging drought conditions, underscoring the volatile nature of the monsoon.
In some areas, such as Ramanagara district in Karnataka, rainfall deficits have reached 93%. Conversely, other districts have experienced excess rainfall, leading to risks of waterlogging and flooding. This erratic pattern threatens food security and rural incomes across the country.
Source: Down To Earth