Monsoon deficit raises alarm over India's Kharif crop season

India's monsoon deficit is raising fresh concerns over the Kharif sowing season, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting below-normal rainfall in July. June has been among the weakest monsoon months in nearly a century, with El Niño conditions disrupting rainfall across several regions.

Experts say India's expanding irrigation network may help protect overall foodgrain production, but millions of farmers remain vulnerable as more than half of the country's net sown area still depends on rainfall.

Climate specialists warn that the timing of the monsoon is just as important as the total rainfall. Crops sown in June require consistent showers through July for proper germination and early growth. A prolonged dry spell could force farmers to rely more heavily on irrigation, increasing pressure on already limited water resources.