Monsoon & Climate Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper I)

October 2026

• 12 Oct 2026Telangana

  El Nino impacts Telangana water and power supply

  The state government has advised farmers against sowing a second (Rabi) crop due to projected shortages in water and electricity. The impact of the El Nino weather pattern is expected to worsen drought conditions in the coming months,...

• 09 Oct 2026

  The Counterintuitive Impact of El Niño on Tamil Nadu Rainfall

  Unlike the rest of India, which often experiences drought during El Niño years, Tamil Nadu can witness significantly increased rainfall during these periods. Strong El Niño conditions create distinct pressure differences between the Bay...

• 02 Oct 2026

  Bengaluru Records Driest Monsoon in Decades Raising Questions on IMD Forecasts

  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) data revealed that the Bengaluru city station recorded just 313 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, marking a massive deficit of 236 mm. This constitutes the driest monsoon season...

• 01 Oct 2026

  Southwest Monsoon Concludes with 12 Percent Rainfall Deficit

  India recorded a 12 percent rainfall deficit at the conclusion of the southwest monsoon season, marking the lowest rainfall level since 2015. East and northeast regions experienced their driest monsoon since 1901, while the southern...

September 2026

• 20 Sep 2026

  Scientists Urge Proactive Preparedness for Impending Super El Nino

  Ecologists and climate scientists have called on policymakers to prepare for imminent Super El Nino events that pose severe risks to India's agricultural and ecological systems. Extreme thermal spikes in the Pacific Ocean alter...

• 12 Sep 2026

  Western Disturbances Explain 70% of Winter Air Pollution Variance in North India

  A recent study shows that 70% of the annual variability in North Indian winter air pollution is determined by the frequency of Western Disturbances. Winters featuring more frequent Western Disturbances experience improved ventilation...

• 04 Sep 2026

  ISRO Successfully Launches Earth Observation Satellite EOS-05

  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched EOS-05, India's first imaging satellite designed to monitor the country from a geosynchronous orbit about 36,000 km above Earth. Placed in a sub-geosynchronous transfer...

• 04 Sep 2026

  UN Warns of Severe El Nino Threatening Global Weather Extremes

  The United Nations has issued a warning that an impending El Nino event could rank among the strongest in recent decades, amplifying global climate shock events. While El Nino is a naturally occurring ocean-atmosphere phenomenon...

August 2026

• 23 Aug 2026

  UK Met Office Warns of Record-Breaking El Nino in 2027

  Britain's national weather service has issued a warning that a major El Nino climate cycle expected in 2026-2027 could become the strongest recorded in over a century. The climate phenomenon involves anomalous warming of equatorial...

July 2026

• 30 Jul 2026

  Meteorological Department Clarifies Cloudburst Definitions Amid Flood Alerts

  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently clarified the scientific definition of a cloudburst, rejecting claims that recent floods in Assam and Nagaland were caused by them. A cloudburst is strictly defined as an extreme...

• 13 Jul 2026

  El Nino risks pose challenges for India's growth and inflation

  Financial experts and meteorologists have warned that a resurgent El Nino and below-normal monsoon patterns could affect India's fiscal year 2027 macroeconomic outlook. Heatwaves and erratic rains are expected to challenge agricultural...

• 09 Jul 2026

  Southwest Monsoon Covers Entire India at Slowest Pace Since 2021

  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the Southwest Monsoon has finally covered the entire country. However, its advance was the slowest recorded since 2021, leading to varied rainfall distribution and concerns over...

• 08 Jul 2026

  Assessing the Economic Toll of El Nino

  A severe El Nino cycle has raised macroeconomic concerns in India by disrupting the monsoon distribution pattern. A weakened monsoon affects the Indian economy through three main channels: reducing agricultural output, diminishing rural...

• 08 Jul 2026

  Weak Monsoon Storage Threatens Premium Sona Masuri Rice Belt

  Low reservoir storage levels at the Tungabhadra Dam due to a weak early monsoon have raised concerns among paddy farmers in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The lack of adequate water discharge threatens the cultivation of premium Sona...

• 07 Jul 2026

  El Nino Weather Patterns Projected to Reduce India's Wind and Hydropower Output

  A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has warned that El Nino conditions could severely impact India's clean energy generation. Weak wind speeds and reduced rainfall are projected to lower wind and hydropower...

• 06 Jul 2026

  El Niño Prompts Shift to Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)

  Due to the challenges posed by El Niño on monsoon patterns, many Indian farmers are turning to Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) as a water-saving alternative to traditional transplanting. DSR helps mitigate the impact of poor rainfall on...

• 04 Jul 2026

  Climate Patterns: WMO Warns of Strong El Nino and Below-Normal Rains

  The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has cautioned that a "strong" El Nino phase during the June-September period of 2026 could result in below-normal rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. El Nino, characterized by the warming...

• 04 Jul 2026

  Monsoon Dynamics: Understanding the Role of the Indian Ocean Dipole

  As India's monsoon faces challenges from El Nino, experts are closely tracking the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) to see if it can rescue the season. The IOD, often referred to as the 'Indian Nino', involves a difference in sea surface...