Why it is Important

El Niño has a strong historical correlation with deficient monsoon rainfall in India. Understanding ENSO dynamics is crucial for food security, agricultural planning, and disaster management.

Key points for Prelims

  • Mechanism: Warm phase of ENSO characterized by anomalous warming of sea surface temperatures (SST) in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  • Impact on Monsoon: Weakens trade winds and shifts convective rain-bearing clouds eastward, weakening the low-pressure system over the Indian subcontinent.
  • La Niña & IOD: La Niña represents the cool phase (bringing excess rain), while a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) can counteract El Niño's negative impacts.

Mains Relevance

El Niño leads to agricultural distress, lower crop yield (especially Kharif crops), inflation in food prices, and drinking water shortages in rain-fed regions.

Way Forward

Strengthen crop insurance (PMFBY), promote drought-resistant crop varieties, invest in micro-irrigation, and implement early warning systems for farmers.

GeographyClimateEl NinoMonsoonAgricultureUPSCCurrent Affairs