The El Niño conditions that hamper rains are expected to strengthen further in the coming months, said the India Meteorological Department.

India's August rainfall registered sixteen percent below average, its lowest in three years. The El Nino weather pattern suppressed the monsoon, widening the rainfall deficit.…

India received 14% below-normal monsoon rainfall through August, with 603.7 mm recorded against the long-period average of 700.7 mm.