Date: 2026-07-03Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Home Minister and Minister and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews situation regarding below-normal rainfall and its impact in certain parts of country due to ‘El Niño’
**Executive Summary**
On July 3, 2026, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the impact of below-normal rainfall caused by El Niño and recent flooding in Northeast India. The meeting focused on monitoring water resources, ensuring food security, and promoting alternative crops to mitigate potential drought conditions. Immediate action items include the deployment of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to assess damage in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Drought Mitigation and Agriculture**
* The government is continuously monitoring monsoon patterns and potential drought conditions in areas affected by El Niño.
* There is a strategic shift towards encouraging farmers to sow low-water-consuming crops, specifically fodder, millets, and pulses.
* Despite rainfall concerns, the country maintains adequate stocks of essential food grains like rice and wheat, with commodity prices remaining stable.
**Water and Power Resource Management**
* The Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Department of Water Resources are directed to monitor all water bodies, groundwater levels, and reservoirs nationwide.
* The Ministry of Power is tasked with ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of electricity across the country.
**Disaster Response in Northeast India**
* An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) from the Ministry of Home Affairs will be deputed to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
* The team will conduct on-the-spot assessments of damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human habitations caused by recent heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers**
**Impact:** Farmers face potential crop failure or reduced yields in regions with below-normal rainfall.
**Action Required:** Coordinate with state governments to provide timely advisories to farmers regarding appropriate crop selection and sowing.
**Ministry of Jal Shakti / Department of Water Resources**
**Impact:** Increased pressure on water security necessitates rigorous oversight of existing reserves.
**Action Required:** Implement comprehensive monitoring of all large and small water bodies, reservoirs, and groundwater levels.
**Ministry of Power**
**Impact:** Potential for increased energy demand or infrastructure stress due to weather variations.
**Action Required:** Take necessary measures to guarantee an adequate and stable supply of electricity.
**State Governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh**
**Impact:** Severe disruption to infrastructure and agriculture due to rising floodwaters, landslides, and road blockages.
**Action Required:** Cooperate with the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to facilitate damage assessments and recovery planning.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Amit Shah: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation who chaired the high-level meeting and issued directives for drought monitoring and flood relief assessment.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The ministry tasked with monitoring rainfall impact on crops and coordinating with state governments to advise farmers on alternative sowing strategies due to El Niño.
Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT): A specialized team from the Ministry of Home Affairs deputed to conduct on-the-spot damage assessments for infrastructure and agriculture in disaster-affected regions.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The ministry directed to monitor water reservoirs and groundwater levels across the country to ensure water security.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh: The primary states identified for immediate damage assessment by the IMCT following heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister and
Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Union Minister
of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj
Singh Chouhan reviews situation regarding
below-normal rainfall and its impact in certain
parts of country due to ‘El Niño’
Government is continuously monitoring monsoon rainfall
situation across country and potential drought conditions in
certain areas due to El Niño
Union Home Minister directs Ministry of Jal Shakti to monitor
all water bodies—large and small—and groundwater across
country
There is a need to focus on alternative, low-water-consuming
crops such as fodder, millets, and pulses
Adequate quantities of essential food grains, including rice
and wheat, are available in country, and prices of essential
commodities remain stable
प्रव तथ: 03 JUL 2026 7:42PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Union Minister of Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the situation regarding below-normal rainfall and
its impact in certain parts of the country due to ‘El Niño’. Senior officials from various ministries and
departments, including the Union Home Secretary and the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Secretary, were present at the meeting.Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the government is
continuously monitoring the situation regarding below-normal rainfall and potential drought conditions in
certain parts of the country due to El Niño. He directed the Ministry of Agriculture and all related
ministries to remain vigilant and coordinate with state governments to advise farmers on the appropriate
crops to sow. Shri Shah instructed officials from the Department of Water Resources to monitor all water
reservoirs across the country. He also emphasized the need to focus on alternative crops that require less
water, such as fodder, millets, and pulses.
Union Home Minister also directed the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Power to take necessary action
to ensure a smooth and adequate supply of electricity.
During the meeting, the Home Minister was also informed that adequate quantities of essential food grains
—including rice and wheat—are available in the country, and the prices of essential commodities remain
stable.
The meeting was attended by Secretaries from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Department of Consumer
Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Rural Development, and Department of Science and
Technology; members and heads of divisions of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA);
the Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD); the Chairman of the Central Water
Commission; and officials from various other departments, including the Indian Agricultural Research
Institute and the National Remote Sensing Centre.
Union Home Minister also instructed that the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) of the Ministry of
Home Affairs should be deputed to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to assess the damage caused by recent
heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslide as both states have been affected, with Assam experiencing
rising floodwaters in multiple districts and Arunachal Pradesh facing landslides and road blockages in
several hilly areas. The IMCT's on the spot assessment is essential to evaluate the extent of damage to
infrastructure, agriculture, and human habitations.
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