A major El Niño event developing in the Pacific Ocean (Img: X)
New Delhi: A major El Niño event developing in the Pacific Ocean could push global temperatures higher and increase weather-related challenges across several regions, according to climate forecasts. The UK Met Office has warned that the upcoming El Niño could become one of the strongest events in more than a century, with 2027 potentially emerging as the warmest year on record.
El Niño is a climate pattern linked to unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It influences atmospheric circulation and can disrupt rainfall and temperature patterns across the world.
India is among the countries that could experience significant effects from a strong El Niño. The phenomenon is often associated with weaker monsoon conditions over the Indian subcontinent, which can affect rainfall distribution and agricultural output.
With several regions already facing below-normal rainfall concerns, a strong El Niño could increase pressure on water resources, farming activities and crop production.
A weaker or uneven monsoon can directly affect crops that depend heavily on rainfall, including rice, pulses, sugarcane and other major agricultural commodities.
Lower rainfall may reduce soil moisture, impact sowing patterns and increase concerns over farm productivity. Any decline in agricultural output could also influence food prices.
A strong El Niño combined with ongoing global warming could contribute to higher temperatures and more frequent heat extremes.
Experts say El Niño events can temporarily raise global average temperatures by adding additional heat to the atmosphere. However, the long-term warming trend is mainly driven by human-induced climate change.
The impact of a strong El Niño is not limited to India. Scientists have warned of possible disruptions in weather patterns across multiple continents, including drought risks in some regions and extreme rainfall in others.
For India, authorities and climate experts are closely monitoring rainfall trends, reservoir levels and agricultural conditions as the El Niño event develops.
