The ministry has been conducting regular studies on monsoons and associated rainfall patterns in the country, including those during the El Niño period. In general, during the El Nino event, the Indian summer monsoon is weaker than normal, and the intensity of the event also decides the amount of impact on the monsoon.Since 1950, there have been 16 El Niño years, out of which 7 years had impacted Indian monsoon rainfall when rainfall was below normal. However, there is a stronger inverse relationship between El Niño and rainfall during the later half of the monsoon season (particularly with September rainfall).

La Niña, a climate phenomenon characterized by notably cooler sea surface temperatures (SST) in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean (opposite to El Nino), can significantly impact the Indian monsoon. In general, during a La Niña event, normal to above-normal rainfall is received over India during the southwest monsoon season. Most parts of the country receive above-normal rainfall during the La Nina years, except extreme north India and some areas over Northeast India, where rainfall below normal is likely during the La Nina years. Also, below-normal temperatures are generally observed during the winter season during the La Nina years.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/KS

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