1.   An unusually hot summer and late monsoon rains have damaged harvests and contributed to shortages.

2.   A late monsoon, as well as pending shutdowns of a number of refineries for maintenance, also boosted demand.

3.   In the Malay Archipelago, the late monsoons and the lingering effects of widespread forest fires are endangering food crops and threatening hunger.

4.   Daily power outages have gotten so bad in Sri Lanka, thanks to a late monsoon, that government officials have joined Buddhist monks who are praying for rain.