Ludhiana, June 6 -- Ahead of the monsoon season, scientists at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have flagged the possibility of below-normal rainfall in Punjab under an emerging El Nino condition, warning that it could further strain the state's already depleted groundwater reserves and pose fresh challenges for agriculture.

The scientists have advised farmers to adopt water-conservation measures and climate-resilient farming practices, including cultivation of short-duration and drought-tolerant crops, greater use of drip and sprinkler irrigation and measures to conserve soil moisture in anticipation of a potentially deficient monsoon.

The caution stems from rainfall patterns observed in Punjab over the past 25 years, which show a ...