Category: News

New Delhi / Kolkata, April 14 (BNP): The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its first long-range forecast issued on April 13, 2026, has indicated that India’s primary rainfall season—the South West Monsoon (SWM)—is likely to be below normal or deficient in 2026.

According to IMD, the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is expected to be around 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA), which translates to approximately 800 mm, with a model error margin of ±5%. The LPA is based on rainfall data from 1971–2020, averaging about 868.6 mm.

Key Probabilistic Outlook

The IMD has also outlined the distribution of probabilities for the 2026 monsoon season:

35% chance of deficient rainfall (below 90% of LPA) — significantly higher than the climatological probability of 16%
31% chance of below-normal rainfall (90–95% of LPA)
27% chance of normal rainfall (96–104% of LPA)
6% chance of above-normal rainfall
1% chance of excess rainfall

Based on these projections, the likelihood of below-normal or deficient rainfall conditions is notably higher than the long-term average, signaling a potential stress year for monsoon-dependent sectors.

Climatic Drivers Behind the Forecast

The IMD has identified key large-scale climate drivers influencing the 2026 monsoon outlook, including:

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)
Eurasian snow cover extent

Currently, weak La Niña conditions are prevailing over the Equatorial Pacific. However, IMD expects a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions between April and June, followed by the possible development of El Niño conditions during the monsoon season.

El Niño conditions are generally associated with weakened monsoon circulation and reduced rainfall over the Indian subcontinent, although historical records indicate that outcomes can vary depending on the interaction of other ocean-atmospheric factors.

Impact Concerns

The forecast has raised concern for India’s agriculture sector, particularly as nearly 60% of farmers depend directly on monsoon rainfall for Kharif cultivation.

A weak monsoon, if realized, could:

Disrupt Kharif sowing and yield prospects
Impact rural incomes and agricultural productivity
Increase dependence on irrigation and groundwater resources
Add pressure on food prices and supply chains

This outlook comes at a challenging time, following reported crop losses in several regions due to hailstorms and flooding during the 2026 pre-monsoon season, compounding risks for the agricultural economy.

Advisory and Preparedness

The IMD has urged stakeholders, including central and state governments, to strengthen preparedness measures, including:

Efficient water resource management
Crop contingency planning
Strengthening irrigation support systems
Monitoring of evolving ENSO and IOD conditions throughout the season

The IMD emphasized that while long-range forecasts provide early guidance, monsoon variability remains dynamic and subject to intra-seasonal changes.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): India’s upcoming kharif cropping season is facing a period of uncertainty, with experts pointing to a combination of climate risks and global geopolitical pressures.

A potential El Niño event could disrupt the monsoon, raising concerns about below-normal rainfall during a critical sowing period. Since kharif crops depend heavily on timely and adequate rains, any deviation in weather patterns may affect both planting and yields.

At the same time, ongoing tensions in West Asia are adding another layer of concern. Rising global energy prices could increase the cost of fuel and fertilisers, placing additional financial strain on farmers already dealing with uncertain weather conditions.

Experts believe that this combination of climatic and external economic pressures could influence farm output, rural incomes, and even food price trends in the months ahead.

While the full impact will depend on how both the monsoon and global situation evolve, stakeholders are keeping a close watch, as the kharif season remains crucial for India’s agricultural stability and food security.

 

Dubai, Apr 14 ( BNP): India’s Sanju Samson has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March, in recognition of his impactful performances during the T20 World Cup campaign.

The India batter played a crucial role in the latter stages of the tournament, delivering strong performances in key matches that helped strengthen India’s batting lineup during important moments.

Although he did not feature consistently in the early matches, Samson stepped up when it mattered most, contributing significantly in high-pressure situations as India went on to secure the title.

The award highlights his growing importance in the national setup and his ability to perform on big occasions at the international level.

The ICC monthly honour has seen a variety of winners in recent months, reflecting strong performances across global cricket. Previous recipients include South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Australia’s Mitchell Starc, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, and Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan.

Samson’s recognition adds another milestone to his international career and underscores his rising consistency in white-ball cricket.

Uttarakhand, Apr 14 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure project developed at an estimated cost of around ₹12,000 crore.

The corridor is aimed at transforming regional connectivity by significantly reducing travel time between Delhi and Dehradun while improving road safety and traffic efficiency along the route.

Built as a high-capacity expressway corridor, the project is expected to ease congestion on existing highways and provide smoother movement for both passenger and freight traffic.

Officials said the corridor has been developed with modern engineering standards, including upgraded road design and safety features intended to improve driving conditions and reduce bottlenecks.

Beyond connectivity, the project is expected to give a strong boost to economic activity in Uttarakhand by improving access to tourism hubs, trade centres, and emerging investment zones.

It is also likely to enhance regional logistics efficiency, supporting faster movement of goods between the national capital region and northern hill states.

With this inauguration, the government has further strengthened its focus on expanding high-speed road infrastructure to improve intercity connectivity and support long-term economic growth.

Paradip/New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): In a significant development for India’s energy sector, Iranian crude oil has resumed flows to the country after a gap of nearly seven years, amid temporary easing of US sanctions and tightening global supply conditions.

A very large crude carrier (VLCC), MT JAYA, carrying around 2 million barrels of crude from Kharg Island, docked at Paradip Port on April 9, marking the first such delivery since 2019 when sanctions halted trade.

According to port authorities, the vessel delivered approximately 277,321 metric tonnes of crude oil to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery at Paradip. Officials described the arrival as a step that further strengthens the port’s role as a key gateway for India’s energy imports.

Adding to the development, another VLCC, Felicity, also carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Iranian crude, is currently anchored near Sikka, taking the total recent inflow to about 4 million barrels.

While it remains unclear which refiners have procured the cargoes, industry sources note that IOCL operates the Paradip refinery, while Reliance Industries Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited receive crude at Sikka.

The resumption of Iranian oil supplies comes at a time of heightened global energy volatility and reflects shifting trade dynamics, as countries seek to secure stable crude sources amid geopolitical uncertainties.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): India’s retail inflation rose modestly to 3.4 per cent in March, marking its highest level since January, according to official data released on Monday.

Despite the increase, inflation remains below the 4 per cent target set by the Reserve Bank of India, indicating that price levels are still within the central bank’s comfort zone.

However, concerns are mounting over potential upward pressure on inflation in the coming months. A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could push global crude oil prices higher, posing a significant risk for India, which imports nearly 90 per cent of its oil requirements.

Additionally, forecasts of below-average monsoon rainfall—possibly the first such instance in three years—have raised apprehensions about agricultural output and food prices.
Economists caution that the combined impact of global geopolitical tensions and domestic weather uncertainties may lead to an increase in the cost of living, prompting policymakers to remain vigilant and responsive to emerging inflationary trends.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 14 (BNP): Odisha recorded a net income tax collection of around ₹18,500 crore in the financial year 2025–26, according to official data shared by the Income Tax Department.

Pic Credit: Pexel 

The number of income tax return filers in the state declined to nearly 15 lakh in FY25–26, compared to about 16.7 lakh in the previous financial year. The drop of around 1.7 lakh taxpayers is attributed to the increase in the income tax exemption limit announced in the Union Budget, which reduced the number of individuals required to file returns.

The information was shared during a press briefing held after the assumption of office by Odisha’s new Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Dr. D. Sudhakar Rao.

Officials also noted that Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) emerged as the highest corporate taxpayer in the state, contributing about ₹3,750 crore in taxes during the year.

For FY26–27, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is expected to set a new collection target for the state, with preliminary estimates placing it close to ₹20,000 crore. Authorities expressed confidence in meeting the upcoming target.

Apr 14 (BNP): India has introduced stricter enforcement rules for overloaded vehicles, combining heavier penalties, mandatory unloading of excess cargo, and advanced digital monitoring to improve road safety and protect highway infrastructure.

Under the revised framework, vehicles found carrying excess load will face a fine of ₹20,000, along with an additional ₹2,000 for every extra tonne beyond the permitted limit. Authorities will also require immediate unloading of excess cargo before the vehicle is allowed to continue its journey.

Repeat violations may attract further action, including suspension of driving licences and cancellation of transport permits for up to three months, tightening compliance across the transport sector.

To strengthen enforcement, toll plazas across the country are being upgraded with weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems that can detect overloaded vehicles without requiring them to stop. Penalties for overloading will be collected through the FASTag system, enabling automated and cashless enforcement.

In addition, violation data will be linked with the VAHAN database to improve monitoring and ensure coordinated action against repeat offenders. Both drivers and transport operators will be held responsible for ensuring compliance with load regulations.

Vehicles carrying protruding or oversized loads beyond permissible height and width limits will also face penalties of ₹20,000.

Officials have made it mandatory for overloaded vehicles to be detained until excess cargo is removed, reinforcing strict compliance measures. The rules are being enforced more rigorously on major freight corridors, particularly in mining and industrial transport routes where overloading has been a persistent concern.

Canberra, Apr 14 (BNP): Australia has appointed Lieutenant General Susan Coyle as the new Chief of Army, marking the first time a woman has been selected to lead any of the country’s military services.

Coyle, who currently serves as Chief of Joint Capabilities, will take over the top Army role as part of a broader reshuffle of Australia’s defence leadership.

The appointments were announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, ahead of the government’s upcoming 2026 defence strategy and investment review.

The move is being viewed as a major milestone for gender representation within the Australian Defence Force, reflecting ongoing efforts to modernise leadership structures and strengthen operational readiness