WMO warns of heatwave risk ahead of May
New Delhi: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that El Niño conditions could develop between May and July, significantly impacting weather patterns across South Asia, including India.
Earlier forecasts had predicted that these conditions would emerge during the latter half of the monsoon season (August–September); however, there is now a heightened probability of an earlier onset.
El Niño is a climatic phenomenon that occurs every 2 to 7 years and typically persists for a duration of 9 to 12 months. It alters temperature and rainfall patterns across various regions of the globe and generally leads to a rise in global temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already forecast below-normal rainfall for this year.
According to the WMO, sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are rising rapidly, signaling the potential emergence of El Niño conditions as early as next month.
Heatwave Likely to Intensify Across Regions
The WMO has stated that land surface temperatures are likely to remain above normal during the months of May, June, and July. This implies that heat levels could intensify across nearly all regions. The organization emphasizes that such weather forecasts are crucial for sectors such as agriculture, water management, energy, and public health, enabling timely preparedness and mitigation measures.
