Ramesh Reddy invested ₹3.2 lakh; borrowed at 24% interest, even pledging his wife’s jewelry; into his tomato farm. Then, his well ran dry. No harvest. No income. Now, he’s applying for a security job in Bengaluru. He’s not alone. This was India’s driest monsoon in 11 years; 12.6% below average. Reservoirs are low, hydropower’s down 16%, and coal plants are running on fumes. Farmers are suffering, but so are cities: onion prices up 93%, sugar up 28%. Rural incomes are falling while food bills rise; a double blow. And climate scientists warn: warmer weather means even more unpredictable rain. India’s next big test? The winter crop. Can the soil hold enough moisture? For farmers like Reddy, it’s not just about rain anymore; it’s about survival.