The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met on 3 July 2026 to examine the impact of below‑normal rainfall caused by El Niño. Senior officials from the Home, Agriculture, Water, Power and several other ministries were present.
Key Developments
- Continuous monitoring of monsoon rainfall and drought risk across the country.
- Ministry of Jal Shakti instructed to track all water bodies and groundwater levels.
- Directive to promote low‑water‑consumption crops such as fodder, millets and pulses.
- Power Ministry asked to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for irrigation and related activities.
- Inter‑Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to be deployed to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh for flood and landslide impact assessment.
- Assurance that adequate stocks of rice and wheat are available and essential commodity prices remain stable.
Important Facts
• The meeting was attended by secretaries from Agriculture, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Consumer Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Environment, Power, Rural Development and Science & Technology.
• Representatives of the NDMA, the Director General of the IMD, and the Chairman of the Central Water Commission were also present.
Exam Relevance
• Understanding the link between global climate phenomena (El Niño) and Indian agriculture is essential for GS 2 (Environment) and GS 3 (Food Security).
• The role of ministries such as