KUCHING: A strong El Niño phenomenon could begin forming from mid-2026.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), unusually warm sea temperatures during El Niño can increase the intensity of storms in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
“It raises the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding in areas such as southern South America, the southern United States, northeastern Africa, and parts of Central Asia,” it said as reported in Malaysia Weather Alerts and Disaster Info’s Facebook.
El Niño can also cause droughts in regions such as Australia, Indonesia, and parts of South Asia.
These changes could damage crop yields, place pressure on water and energy supplies, and increase the risk of forest fires in a world that is already becoming hotter due to climate change.
“Faster and more effective climate action is urgently needed to limit the impact of these weather patterns on extreme weather events and reduce their harmful effects,” said the organisation.
