2015–16: El Niño, Latur's water trains and India's 51°C record

The 2015–16 El Niño, rated moderate by IMD, came with India's second weak monsoon in a row.

The monsoon. All-India June–September rain in 2015 was 12.7% below normal (IMD El Niño and monsoon table). IMD's Monsoon 2015 report notes that 2014 and 2015 were consecutive deficient years. In July 2015 Marathwada, North Interior Karnataka, Telangana and Rayalaseema had scanty rain.

Marathwada. The region's season rain was about 40% below normal, an IMD figure reported by SANDRP (2 Oct 2015). We label this as reported, not from an IMD document.

Water by train. In April 2016 the Ministry of Railways (PIB) said two 50-wagon trains were arranged to carry drinking water to Latur, about 54,000–55,000 litres per wagon.

The heat. On 19 May 2016 Phalodi in Rajasthan recorded 51.0°C, India's highest temperature on record, according to IMD as quoted by AFP and The Guardian. The previous record was 50.6°C at Alwar in 1956.

The lesson. A 2016 Current Science study found the rainfall shortfall was within Marathwada's past range. The severe impacts were linked mainly to how water and rain-fed crops were managed, even though forecasts and El Niño signals could have prompted earlier preparation.

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