Six Indian States Declare Drought as El Niño Threatens Food Security
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Climate change is increasingly threatening India's farm output, rural livelihoods and food supply chains, according to a recent report. The report says that six states have now declared drought, and that the El Niño weather pattern could make the situation harder to manage in the coming months.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that causes the surface of the Pacific Ocean to become warmer than usual. In India, it is often linked to weaker monsoon rains, which are essential for growing crops such as rice, pulses and sugarcane. When rainfall falls below normal, farmers may face lower harvests, and rising food prices can follow. Experts quoted in the report warn that these effects could reach beyond the farm, affecting transport, storage and the supply of food to cities.
Rural communities are likely to feel the impact most strongly. Many farming families depend on rain for their income, and a poor season can reduce their earnings and increase debt. Declaring a drought allows state governments to provide relief, such as water supply support, fodder for animals and financial help to affected farmers. However, the report notes that the scale of the challenge depends on how much rain falls in the remaining part of the season.
The report makes clear that climate change is making these weather problems more frequent and more difficult to predict. Officials and farmers will be watching rainfall closely in the coming weeks, as the decisions taken now will shape India's food supply for months to come.
Sources: Kashmir Convener
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