India, April 8 -- Even as many parts of India are enjoying pleasant weather due to the rains, the forecast for the next few months is not encouraging. Skymet, a private weather forecast agency, has predicted a below-normal monsoon in view of El Niño emerging later this year.

This probable scenario is negative for groundwater and reservoirs' recharge and the power situation. Moreover, the forecast comes amid the ongoing geopolitical chaos, rising crude prices and inflation. It means India will have to shore up its food stocks as agriculture is based on rain-fed water.

Skymet, which has come out with its prediction of the South-West Monsoon at least 10 days ahead of the India Meteorological Department, expects the monsoon to be 94 pe...