Delayed monsoon and heat threaten Khargone’s chilli and cotton crops ahead of June 15

A sharp monsoon delay and persistent heat in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh are causing widespread wilting in cotton, chilli, maize and other crops, with farmers reporting severe moisture stress and many tube wells and surface water sources running dry. The area is a key producer of export-grade cotton in India, and the monsoon normally arrives by June 15 but has been delayed. Farmers say that without effective rainfall over the next four to eight days, losses could be heavy. The disruption is weighing on near- to mid-term expectations for global cotton supply.