UN warns El Niño risks growing deadlier, urges proactive action

The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the El Niño phenomenon is intensifying and is expected to dominate global climate patterns from August to October 2026. This raises the likelihood of above-average temperatures across large parts of the world, along with significant changes in rainfall patterns.

According to the United Nations Information Centre, the organization stated in its monthly update on global seasonal climate that the developing El Niño, combined with exceptionally high global ocean temperatures and the potential for a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, is likely to affect weather patterns in many regions over the coming months.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "El Niño is no longer just a passing phenomenon; it is a reality we are living with on our planet, increasing its heat. And this is only the first chapter." He added, "The phenomenon is intensifying, fueling an already overheated planet with blistering heat domes, catastrophic wildfires, and record ocean temperatures, while fossil fuels continue to stoke the flames of this crisis."

The Secretary-General called for an end to the expansion of fossil fuel use, warning that growing reliance on coal, oil, and gas will lead to a more dangerous future. He said, "Unless we act to protect people and address the root causes of the crisis, the risks will become even more deadly. The first chapter is over, and we cannot wait for the main event to unfold."

El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters, which affects weather conditions worldwide. While it is not a new phenomenon nor directly caused by climate change, global warming may intensify its impacts, which vary from region to region.