UN Warns Strong El Nino Will Worsen Extremes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the strengthening El Niño is intensifying the effects of human-driven climate change and increasing the risk of extreme weather across the world.
Strong El Niño Intensifies Global Warming
El Niño develops when surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, altering wind, temperature and rainfall patterns across multiple continents.
The current event is strengthening rapidly and is expected to remain influential into 2027. Ocean temperatures in a key Pacific monitoring region have remained at record levels for several consecutive weeks, indicating an unusually powerful early development.
Guterres said the phenomenon was adding fuel to a planet already experiencing dangerous warming. El Niño temporarily raises average global temperatures, while greenhouse gas emissions continue driving the longer-term warming trend.
Extreme Weather Risks Rise Worldwide
A strong El Niño can increase the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and intense rainfall, although its effects differ considerably between regions.
Drier conditions may affect Australia, Southeast Asia, southern Africa and parts of the Americas. Other regions could experience above-normal rainfall and flooding. Marine heatwaves are also expected to intensify as warmer ocean conditions place additional pressure on fisheries and coastal ecosystems.
Governments have been urged to strengthen early-warning systems and prepare health services, agriculture, water supplies and disaster-response agencies for potentially severe conditions.
India Monsoon Faces El Niño Pressure
El Niño is frequently associated with weaker southwest monsoon rainfall over India, although the relationship is not uniform every year. India has already forecast below-normal rainfall for August as the weather system strengthens.
Any prolonged rainfall deficit could affect kharif crops, reservoir levels and irrigation demand. However, regional rainfall distribution and short-duration weather systems will determine the actual impact.
Guterres called for faster reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased investment in renewable energy and stronger protection for communities exposed to extreme heat and climate-related disasters.
