The 2026 monsoon was under stress, reservoir levels in parts of northern India were below the previous year's levels. Punjab and Haryana face particularly serious groundwater depletion, most of Punjab's 153 development blocks are classified as over-exploited.
Bihar Agriculture Department filed FIRs against 31 fertiliser units, cancelled 83 licences, and seized 1,956 bags in East Champaran for hoarding and black marketing during rabi season. Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar vows zero tolerance to protect timely supplies to farmers.