UN warns El Niño may boost heatwaves, droughts and heavy rain

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a seasonal outlook indicating a heightened probability of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall across several regions as the El Niño phenomenon intensifies during the coming months. The forecast, released in a joint statement with regional climate centers, notes that sea‑surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific are expected to remain above average, a condition that typically amplifies extreme weather patterns worldwide.

According to the WMO, the elevated risk will be most pronounced in parts of North America, South America, Southeast Asia and eastern Africa, where prolonged heat spikes could trigger record‑breaking temperatures and exacerbate existing water shortages. Simultaneously, the agency warns that the same atmospheric dynamics may generate intense convective storms, leading to flash floods and landslides in vulnerable coastal and riverine zones. The outlook underscores the need for preparedness measures, urging governments and disaster‑response agencies to activate early‑warning systems and reinforce water‑management strategies to mitigate the anticipated impacts.