Government on High Alert for El Niño Impact on 2026 Monsoon
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted a high-level review meeting regarding the Southwest Monsoon, possible El Niño impact, water availability, seed arrangements, crop strategy, and state preparedness. The India Meteorological Department has indicated the 2026 Southwest Monsoon may be below normal, with seasonal rainfall across the country estimated at around 90% of the Long Period Average, with El Niño conditions likely developing during the monsoon season.
The Central Government has intensified preparations and asked all states to stay in alert mode. A critical positive factor is that current water levels in the country's reservoirs are quite satisfactory, with overall storage at 127.01% of the normal level for this period, which will provide significant assistance in meeting irrigation requirements during the Kharif season.
Comprehensive Contingency Planning and Preparedness Measures
Shri Chouhan directed special monitoring and swift action in states and districts likely to receive low rainfall, emphasizing that contingency plans should be activated to the district level and implemented based on local conditions, water resources, crop patterns, seed availability, sowing progress, and district-specific risks. The government's strategy focuses on area-specific and crop-specific approaches, providing farmers with timely advice, seeds, resources, and suitable options for alternative crops, delayed sowing strategies, and drought-resistant varieties.
Seed availability for both Kharif and Rabi seasons is more than sufficient with requirements, and arrangements for a National Seed Reserve have been made for emergency situations. Shri Chouhan emphasized the importance of seed quality, directing that only certified, suitable seeds reach farmers, with arrangements kept ready for short-duration and low-water requiring varieties for resowing when needed.
Integrated Water Management and Agricultural Support Systems
The review meeting highlighted the importance of moisture conservation, water harvesting, construction of farm ponds, and strengthening local structures. Shri Chouhan stressed scientific, balanced water use from reservoirs with proper priorities, ensuring water reaches tail ends of canal systems and maximizes crop protection even with limited availability.
Officials were instructed to develop ready strategies for possible dry spells of two, three, or four weeks, including plans for resowing, life-saving irrigation, short-duration crops, and alternative sowing strategies. Disease and pest management received special attention, with directions for advance identification of weather-related disease risks and preparation of proper monitoring systems and treatment advice.
The government will strengthen direct mobile messaging, advisories, warnings, and crop information delivery to farmers through state-level mechanisms, call centers, local officials, and digital platforms. State preparedness will be continuously reviewed, with central support provided where response is slow or preparation levels are weak. Different departments were directed to work with shared data, joint reviews, and integrated strategy combining weather, water, seeds, crops, disease-pest management, irrigation, and rural development inputs.