GENEVA – Web Desk: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a UN agency, has warned that the probability of an El Niño developing between June and August 2026 has reached 80%, which could lead to increased extreme heat, drought, abnormal rainfall, and other severe weather events worldwide.
According to the WMO, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific are rising abnormally, causing El Niño conditions to form rapidly. The agency’s latest report states that global predictions show an 80% chance of El Niño developing during June-August, with the probability rising to 90% or higher by November. Experts say this El Niño could be at least moderate in intensity and potentially strong.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that El Niño is knocking on our door and should be treated as a climate emergency. With rising global temperatures, the impacts of El Niño could become more severe. The report indicates that most parts of the world are likely to record higher-than-normal temperatures from June to August. Some areas of East Africa may experience reduced rainfall, South Asia’s monsoon may be below normal, and Central America is also expected to face dry and hot conditions.
Experts say El Niño could have profound effects on agriculture, water reservoirs, energy sectors, and public health, emphasizing the need for governments and relevant agencies to take precautionary measures.
