In recent years, India has become reasonably proficient in forecasting atmospheric disturbances that cause cyclones. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues alerts for extreme weather events such as intense rainfall and heat waves. In the coming months, the country’s scientific community will face a different climate-related challenge. India has entered a potentially difficult post-monsoon period. After a 12.6 per cent rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon, the IMD expects extremely dry conditions over most of the country for the rest of the year. A strengthening El Niño can reduce water availability in rivers and wetlands and increase stress on farms, forests and oceans. These could have cascading effects on people’s lives........

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