India received just 90.7 mm (3.6 inches) in the first 17 days of August, nearly 40% lower than the normal. The month's normal average is 254.9 mm (10 inches).
As Sumatra and Java face the brunt of the dry spell, experts predict that the intensity of El Niño will heighten in the later part of 2023 and early 2024.
The price of Indian rice exports has jumped 9% to a five-year high, following a hike of 7% last month in the price the government pays farmers for new-season common rice.
Average global temperature reached 17.01°C, surpassing August 2016 record of 16.92°C. Scientists said climate change, combined with an emerging El Nino pattern, were to blame.
The global body confirmed that the temperature soared after the emergence of the El Nino weather pattern in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years.
The WHO chief also warned that climate change is fueling the breeding of mosquitoes, and incidence of dengue has already risen sharply in recent decades, particularly in the Americas.
While they had initially suspected bird flu, the country's agriculture and environment ministries jointly concluded the most likely reason was warmer oceans resulting from El Niño.
In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, New Delhi’s net tax intake didn’t even hit the halfway mark of what it expects to collect by March 31.
As Visakhapatnam readies a mega airport, the Andhra Pradesh government has revived its shelved Dagadarthi project, aiming to boost cargo and connectivity on the south coast.
Speaking at annual press conference, Army chief reiterated that India does not recognise 1963 Sino-Pakistan border pact under which Pakistan illegally ceded Shaksgam Valley to China.
UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, many members of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.
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