{
  "id": 5533672,
  "title": "El Nino to persist through February 2027: What it means for India",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/el-nino-to-persist-through-february-2027-what-it-means-for-india",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-04T10:11:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/el-nino-to-persist-through-february-2027-what-it-means-for-india-rainfall-indian-economy-monsoon-world-meteorological-organization/articleshow/133759194.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Delhi: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific to become an intense event, lasting through February 2027. This could severely affect rainfall and temperature patterns, increasing the risk of floods, droughts, and extreme heat globally. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warns of the potential catastrophic consequences for communities and economies worldwide. The phenomenon, known as El Nino, has already caused disruption and devastation through droughts and floods. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) corroborates the WMO's forecast, stating that El Nino conditions are likely to persist until February 2027. Typically, El Nino leads to less rainfall in India, which was evident in August, when the IMD reported a 16% rainfall deficiency and the hottest August since records began in 1901. The IMD further predicts below-average rainfall for September, potentially exacerbating the situation as India already experiences warmer winters. Recent research reveals that northern India's February-March temperatures are warming at an unprecedented rate, with February recording the fastest warming at 0.69 degrees Celsius per decade. This trend is coinciding with the reproductive and grain-filling stages of wheat crops, impacting production in the major wheat-growing regions.",
  "summary": "The World Meteorological Organization says prevailing El Nino conditions could intensify into a very strong event and persist through February 2027, threatening India with weaker rainfall, higher temperatures and greater risks of drought, floods and extreme heat. With August already recording a 16% rainfall deficit and the hottest August since 1901, El Nino could further stress crops and winter…",
  "key_points": [
    "El Nino to last through February 2027, affecting rainfall and temperatures globally",
    "India Meteorological Department predicts below-average rainfall for September",
    "Northern India's February temperatures warming at 0.69°C per decade, impacting wheat crops"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}