Scoreclever Editorial Analysis | ea.scoreclever.com
The Hindu Editorial • June 08, 2026 • Read Original
Missed call: On India and the southwest monsoon
India must brace itself for a deficient southwest monsoon
Scoreclever
Win Exams Cleverly
Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on June 08, 2026
Missed call: On India and the southwest monsoon
India must brace itself for a deficient southwest monsoon
Southwest MonsoonIndia Monsoon ForecastEl NinoIndian Ocean DipoleAgricultural Preparedness
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 21
Sentence 1 of 21
The southwest monsoon reached Kerala on June 4, three days past its normal date and four days behind the India Meteorological Department’s own forecast.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The southwest monsoon
The seasonal rain-bearing winds that bring rainfall to India from June to September.
Verb
reached
arrived at a destination.
Object
Kerala
A coastal state in southern India where the monsoon rains first hit the mainland.
Adjunct
on June 4, three days past its normal date and four days behind the India Meteorological Department’s own forecast
on the fourth of June, which is three days later than the usual date (June 1) and four days later than the date predicted by the government weather agency.
Sentence 2 of 21
This is the first time since 2015 that the agency has misjudged the onset beyond its margin of error.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
This situation of the monsoon arriving late and missing the predicted date.
Verb
is
represents or equals.
Complement
the first time since 2015 that the agency has misjudged the onset beyond its margin of error
the first occurrence in eleven years where the IMD’s prediction of when the monsoon starts was wrong by more days than their allowed margin of error.
Sentence 3 of 21
A late arrival, in itself, is no calamity.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
A late arrival
The delayed starting of the monsoon season.
Adjunct
in itself
on its own, without considering other associated factors.
Verb
is
is (linking verb).
Complement
no calamity
not a disaster or a catastrophic event.
Sentence 4 of 21
The date on which the rains touch the Kerala coast has little statistical bearing on how much falls over the four months that follow.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The date on which the rains touch the Kerala coast
The specific day when the monsoon rains first arrive at the shores of Kerala.
Verb
has
possesses or holds.
Object
little statistical bearing on how much falls over the four months that follow
very little mathematical connection to the total amount of rainfall during the remaining four months of the monsoon.
Sentence 5 of 21
Many times in the past, the monsoon has begun early and failed, and also begun late and recovered.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Many times in the past
On several occasions in previous years.
Subject
the monsoon
The seasonal rain system in India.
Verb
has begun early and failed, and also begun late and recovered
has started earlier than usual but given poor rain, and has also started later than usual but still improved to give good rain.
Sentence 6 of 21
It is what the monsoon has in store over the next four months that is unsettling.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
The situation regarding the monsoon.
Verb
is
is (linking verb).
Complement
what the monsoon has in store over the next four months
what the rain system is going to bring during the upcoming four months.
Adjunct
that is unsettling
which is causing worry or making people feel anxious.
Sentence 7 of 21
The India Meteorological Department has pegged seasonal rainfall at 90% of the long-period average, with a 60% probability of an outright deficient year — its most pessimistic pre-season call in a decade.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The India Meteorological Department
The central government department responsible for weather forecasting and meteorology in India.
Verb
has pegged
has fixed or estimated at a specific amount or level.
Object
seasonal rainfall
The total volume of rain that falls during the entire monsoon period.
Adjunct
at 90% of the long-period average, with a 60% probability of an outright deficient year — its most pessimistic pre-season call in a decade
at ninety percent of the historical average rainfall, with a sixty percent chance of having a major rain shortage, which is their most negative prediction before the monsoon starts in ten years.
Sentence 8 of 21
While the northeast is expected to get normal rainfall, the northwest, central India, the southern peninsula and the critical ‘monsoon core zone’ — which houses the majority of the country’s rain-fed agriculture — are all expected to see shortfalls.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
While the northeast is expected to get normal rainfall
Although the northeastern part of the country is predicted to receive its usual amount of rain.
Subject
the northwest, central India, the southern peninsula and the critical ‘monsoon core zone’ — which houses the majority of the country’s rain-fed agriculture —
the regions of northwest India, central India, the southern peninsula, and the key agricultural belt that depends heavily on rain for farming rather than artificial irrigation.
Verb
are all expected
are forecasted by experts.
Complement
to see shortfalls
to receive less rainfall than the historical normal.
Sentence 9 of 21
History offers little comfort.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
History
Past events and historical facts.
Verb
offers
provides or presents.
Object
little comfort
very little hope or reassurance.
Sentence 10 of 21
Of the six occasions that India saw a deficient monsoon since 2000, five were years when the El Niño was active.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Of the six occasions that India saw a deficient monsoon since 2000
Out of the six times since the year 2000 when India had a shortage of monsoon rain.
Subject
five
five of those years.
Verb
were
were (linking verb).
Complement
years when the El Niño was active
years during which the Pacific Ocean climate pattern known as El Niño was happening.
Sentence 11 of 21
The exception, 2021, was a year when El Niño’s counterpart, the La Niña, was active.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The exception, 2021
The only year among the six drought years that did not fit the El Niño pattern.
Verb
was
was (linking verb).
Complement
a year when El Niño’s counterpart, the La Niña, was active
a year in which La Niña, the opposite ocean cooling cycle to El Niño, was taking place.
Sentence 12 of 21
However, that was also a year when the Indian Ocean Dipole, another ocean-atmosphere system that influences the monsoon, was in a negative phase.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
However
But; on the other hand.
Subject
that
that year (2021).
Verb
was
was (linking verb).
Complement
also a year when the Indian Ocean Dipole, another ocean-atmosphere system that influences the monsoon, was in a negative phase
also a year in which the Indian Ocean Dipole, another system of sea-air interaction that affects rainfall, was in a state that causes dry weather in India.
Sentence 13 of 21
In fact, 2021 shows that even if the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean is favorable, a negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole can override it.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In fact
Actually; indeed.
Subject
2021
The year 2021.
Verb
shows
demonstrates or proves.
Object
that even if the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean is favorable, a negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole can override it
that even if Pacific weather conditions are set up to help the monsoon, a dry phase in the Indian Ocean can cancel out those positive effects.
Sentence 14 of 21
This year, the El Niño, which is associated with a heating of the central Pacific waters, is in place.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
This year
In the current year.
Subject
the El Niño, which is associated with a heating of the central Pacific waters
the climate cycle known as El Niño, which is related to the warming of sea temperatures in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Verb
is
is (linking verb).
Complement
in place
established, active, or present in position.
Sentence 15 of 21
However, whether the IOD, which is currently in a neutral phase, will turn positive and assist the monsoon remains to be seen.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
However
But; on the other hand.
Subject
whether the IOD, which is currently in a neutral phase, will turn positive and assist the monsoon
whether the Indian Ocean Dipole, which is currently in a balanced state, will warm up in the west and help bring rain to India.
Verb
remains
continues to be.
Complement
to be seen
unknown and must be observed in the future.
Sentence 16 of 21
India is also facing an input crisis: the conflict in West Asia and the disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz have affected the energy and fertilizer supply chain.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
India
The nation of India.
Verb
is also facing
is currently experiencing or dealing with.
Object
an input crisis
a shortage of raw materials or resources required for production (like energy and fertilizer components).
Subject
the conflict in West Asia and the disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz
the military tensions in the Middle East and the blockages or shipping threats at the Strait of Hormuz.
Verb
have affected
have impacted or caused trouble for.
Object
the energy and fertilizer supply chain
the system of importing and distributing petroleum, gas, and chemical components for farming.
Sentence 17 of 21
While the impact has been managed so far, a prolonged period of rainfall deficit could worsen the situation, impacting agricultural yields and overall economic growth.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
While the impact has been managed so far
Although the negative consequences have been kept under control up to this point.
Subject
a prolonged period of rainfall deficit
a long-lasting shortage of monsoon rain.
Verb
could worsen
has the potential to make things worse.
Object
the situation
the current economic and resource conditions.
Adjunct
impacting agricultural yields and overall economic growth
which would negatively affect farming harvests and the overall development of the economy.
Sentence 18 of 21
The government must focus on enhancing reservoir storage and preparing for contingencies.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The government
The administrative authorities of the country.
Verb
must focus
needs to direct its attention and efforts.
Complement
on enhancing reservoir storage and preparing for contingencies
on increasing water levels in water-holding basins and setting up plans for emergencies.
Sentence 19 of 21
Providing timely advisories, promoting micro-irrigation, and supporting crop diversification will be key.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Providing timely advisories, promoting micro-irrigation, and supporting crop diversification
Giving agricultural advice on time, encouraging water-saving watering methods, and helping farmers grow different types of crops.
Verb
will be
will be (linking verb).
Complement
key
essential or crucial.
Sentence 20 of 21
Crucially, the government must also ensure that the supply of fertilizers is not disrupted.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Crucially
Most importantly; critically.
Subject
the government
The state authorities.
Verb
must also ensure
needs to make certain or guarantee.
Object
that the supply of fertilizers is not disrupted
that the import and distribution of chemical nutrients for agriculture is not stopped or delayed.
Sentence 21 of 21
For a nation that is still heavily dependent on agriculture, there is no room for complacency.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
For a nation that is still heavily dependent on agriculture
For a country where many people still rely on farming to survive.
Subject
there
there (existential dummy subject).
Verb
is
exists.
Complement
no room for complacency
no reason or opportunity to become careless or stop making efforts.
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - Southwest Monsoon Preparedness
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about India's southwest monsoon forecast, El Nino impact, and agricultural contingency planning.
About Scoreclever
Your Complete Learning Ecosystem
Scoreclever helps you master Current Affairs, English Language, and General Awareness for all Banking, SSC, Railway, and Defence exams. The Scoreclever app has innovative learning techniques that make memorization and revision effortless.
Explore Scoreclever