Destructive El Niño Returns: India Faces Record Heat, Monsoon Crisis by 2026

• El Niño, a Pacific Ocean warming phenomenon, weakens Indian monsoons, leading to less rainfall and potential drought.
• Experts predict a 60% chance of El Niño activating between July-September; WMO warns 2023-24 was dangerous, making 2024 the warmest year.
• If El Niño returns by late 2026, all heat records could be shattered, intensifying heatwaves and causing water scarcity in India.
• India's agriculture (rice, pulses, sugarcane) faces severe losses, impacting farmers' income and potentially causing inflation and dairy sector issues.
• Climate change exacerbates El Niño's effects; India must strengthen water and disaster management to prepare for droughts.