United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on countries to take urgent climate action as the world braces for the arrival of El Niño, warning that the weather phenomenon is likely to amplify the effects of global warming and trigger more extreme weather events across the globe.
Citing a new statement from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Guterres said there is a 90 per cent probability that El Niño conditions will develop in the coming months, increasing the risk of heatwaves, droughts, floods and other climate-related disasters.
“The science is clear: El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90 per cent certainty. The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is,” Guterres said.
According to the WMO, above-average temperatures are expected across most regions of the world between June and August. The agency warned that rising temperatures could intensify heat stress, worsen drought conditions in some areas and lead to excessive rainfall and flooding in others.
The weather agency highlighted that El Niño impacts vary across regions. In South Asia, forecasts indicate below-average monsoon rainfall this year, raising concerns about water availability and agricultural production. The South Asian Climate Outlook Forum has projected weaker monsoon conditions across parts of the region.
Similarly, the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum has predicted below-normal rainfall across much of the northern Greater Horn of Africa during the crucial June-to-September rainy season, increasing the risk of drought.
In Central America, climate experts expect warmer and drier-than-normal conditions, which could further strain water resources and agricultural output.
While some regions may experience heavy rainfall consistent with typical El Niño patterns, the WMO cautioned that the phenomenon is likely to increase the probability of weather extremes, including severe flooding in some areas and prolonged droughts in others.
Guterres stressed that the growing climate threat requires immediate and coordinated international action. He urged governments to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, expand renewable energy deployment and strengthen protection for vulnerable communities.
“The only effective response is ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all,” he said.
