Record-breaking droughts and El Nino cause severe water shortage in India and Arizona
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Al Jazeera English
India experienced its lowest monsoon rainfall in five years, with August being the driest month in over a century, due to the El Nino weather pattern. This rainfall deficit is likely to impact agricultural production, particularly crops such as rice and sugar, leading to potential food inflation amid soaring global food prices. The monsoon is crucial for India's economy, providing over 70 percent of the country's required rainfall for crop irrigation and water replenishment. With nearly half of India's farmland lacking irrigation, the deficit could result in higher prices for staples like sugar, pulses, rice, and vegetables. It may also prompt India to impose more export restrictions on rice, wheat, and sugar.