New York (Monitoring Desk) The United Nations’ specialized agency, the World Meteorological Organization, has warned that the probability of El Niño developing between June and August 2026 has reached 80 percent, which could lead to an increase in extreme heat, droughts, abnormal rainfall, and other severe weather events around the world.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial regions of the Pacific Ocean are rising unusually above normal levels, indicating that El Niño conditions are developing rapidly.
The latest report from the organization states that forecasts suggest an 80 percent chance of El Niño forming between June and August, while this probability may rise to 90 percent or more by November. Experts say this El Niño could be of moderate intensity or potentially severe.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs every two to seven years and typically lasts between 9 and 12 months. During this period, warming of Pacific Ocean waters leads to significant changes in wind patterns, rainfall, and global temperature systems.
The head of the World Meteorological Organization said that the world must begin preparing for the impacts of El Niño now, as it can increase the risks of droughts, heavy rainfall, and both land and ocean heatwaves.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also warned that El Niño is a serious climate alert and should be treated as an emergency situation. He said that rising global temperatures could further intensify its impacts.
The report added that between June and August, most parts of the world are likely to experience above-normal temperatures. Some regions of East Africa may see reduced rainfall, South Asia may face a weaker monsoon, while Central America is expected to experience hot and dry conditions.
Experts say that El Niño could have severe impacts on agriculture, water resources, energy systems, and public health, and therefore governments and relevant institutions need to take immediate preventive measures.