New Delhi, Aug. 2 -- A revival in monsoon rainfall and better distribution in the coming weeks could provide some relief to food inflation pressures, but the outlook remains closely tied to rainfall patterns amid concerns over strengthening El Nino conditions, according to a research report by Bank of Baroda. The report said the second half of the Southwest monsoon will require close monitoring as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects rainfall at 94 per cent of the long-period average.

Cumulative Southwest monsoon rainfall between June 1 and July 31, 2026, was 13 per cent below the long-period average (LPA), with total rainfall at 389.8 mm compared with 474.3 mm during the same period last year. However, July witnessed a turn...