UN Sounds Alarm Over Potentially Record-Breaking El Niño
The United Nations has warned that the current El Niño event could become the strongest in modern records, raising fears of extreme heat, drought and flooding across the world. World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said Pacific Ocean temperatures could reach 3.8°C above average between November and January, with the phenomenon expected to peak towards the end of 2026 and its effects continuing beyond that period.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described the looming climate threat as a “wrecking ball” that could trigger severe humanitarian crises, economic shocks, displacement and further conflict. He warned that international relief systems could not manage the scale of the crisis alone and urged governments, development banks and financial institutions to provide support before disasters strike.
The UN has released $50 million to support 11 vulnerable countries, including Chad, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. Although El Niño is a natural climate pattern that typically occurs every two to seven years, officials say early preparation and investment in resilience will be crucial to reducing its potential impact, particularly as human-driven climate change continues to raise global temperatures.
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