Relief from a dry couple of years may be around the corner as El Niño comes to an end.
The weather phenomenon, which exacerbated drought across the country, is officially done, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology announced on Tuesday. El Niño caused a drop in wheat, palm oil and rice production across Asia.
El Niño is a phenomenon triggered by warm temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. The phenomenon alters weather patterns around the world, typically reducing rain in wet places, and making dry places wetter.
This El Niño is the strongest the world has experienced in 20 years, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It may be replaced by La Niña, which would boost the monsoon.
Already, the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum has forecast an above-average monsoon season over most parts of India, including drought-struck Maharashtra. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are unlikely to get the same conditions and should expect a weak monsoon, the forum added.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)