India's monsoon weakens in west and south, delaying sowing

India's crucial monsoon season is presenting a starkly divided picture, with intense rainfall and flooding in the north coinciding with forecasts of a significant dry spell in the west and south that threatens to delay vital crop sowing. The contrasting conditions underscore the monsoon's complex and critical role in the nation's economy and food security.

In the northern Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, torrential rains on Wednesday triggered widespread landslides, blocking 26 roads and cutting off remote communities. A major section of the critical Pathankot-Mandi national highway was damaged, though emergency crews restored traffic after a closure lasting seven to eight hours. The downpour caused severe disruptions, with floodwaters inundating homes in Padhar and isolating numerous households. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts predicting intense rainfall over the next five to seven days in districts including Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur, significantly escalating risks of further landslides and flash floods.

Conversely, weather officials warn that western and southern regions are poised for a period of significantly below-average rainfall...