India monsoon 13% below normal as strong El Niño raises risk of hotter summer in 2027: Report — What scientists say

India's monsoon rainfall has fallen 13% below normal, raising concerns over crop production and the economy, as a potentially record-strength El Niño event is forecast to peak between the end of 2026 and early 2027, according to a report by Live Mint. The UK Met Office has warned that the current El Niño could be the strongest since the 19th century, with Pacific sea surface temperatures expected to rise by more than 3°C by late 2026 or early 2027.

This heat generated during El Niño can persist for months even as the event weakens, potentially influencing monsoon conditions, temperatures, and weather patterns in India and other regions. Experts warn that temperatures may remain unusually high for several months after El Niño begins to shift, possibly contributing to 2027 becoming one of the hottest years globally.

However, scientists emphasize that the impact on specific regions will depend on various atmospheric and oceanic factors.

Brief written by urgent.news from Live Mint's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.