Abstract
In earlier years, El NiΓ±os had a strong association with droughts in India. However, in recent years, this relationship seems to have weakened, and even the strong event of 1997β1998 did not produce the expected effects. In the 133βyear data, only about 60% of the El NiΓ±o and La NiΓ±a are effective, and the magnitudes of the anomalies are not in good correlations with the strength of the ENSO. This weakening of ENSO effects in recent years is known to meteorologists. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) scientists have formulated prediction schemes, but these are not fully satisfactory. The public and the press are still swayed only by possible El NiΓ±o effects, as happened in 2005 when Pacific warming occurred in February. The meteorologists had to assure the press that this was a case of an βaborted El NiΓ±oβ, with quiet conditions expected to return by the end of 2005. Considering the experience of the 1997β1998 El NiΓ±o, when a strong El NiΓ±o developed suddenly, a prediction of a quiet 2005 can be hazardous. More importantly, even if an El NiΓ±o develops in the next few months, the press should be told that the chance of strong El NiΓ±o effects (droughts) is only about 60%, and these too may be very different in different regions of India. Copyright Β© 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.