India, May 1 -- The latter half of India's southwest monsoon season this year could be affected by the super El Niño developing in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean, according to the long range forecast of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on April 13. The southwest monsoon brings around 70 per cent of the annual rainfall, or around 870 mm (long period average or LPA) from June to September. IMD forecasts that the 2026 season may only see around 800 mm of rainfall. This could translate to adverse consequences for about 60 per cent farmers in the country reliant on monsoon rainfall for the kharif season.

The probability of a deficient season (rainfall below 90 per cent of LPA) is 35 per cent, more than double the long-term (climat...