Global Drought Alert: States Advised to Prepare for El Niño Impact

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), following the Indian Meteorological Department, has issued a global climate warning regarding the rapid warming of ocean waters in the Pacific. According to the United Nations agency, there is an 80% likelihood of El Niño forming between June and August, which could rise to over 90% by November. This phenomenon is expected to intensify, potentially leading to droughts, floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather conditions worldwide, including in India.

India's Ministry of Agriculture has directed states and relevant agencies to implement district-level plans to address the possibility of below-average rainfall and El Niño-related risks. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized strengthening digital communication and call center services to ensure timely dissemination of information to farmers.

El Niño occurs when ocean waters near the South American coast warm abnormally due to weakened trade winds in the equatorial Pacific region. This disrupts global wind and cloud patterns, affecting weather systems worldwide. Despite the threat, WMO suggests that India's monsoon may remain resilient if two active systems persist.

WMO scientists have noted that ocean water temperatures have risen by up to 6°C above normal, accelerating the development of El Niño. The organization has urged governments, including India, to prepare across sectors such as agriculture, health, and energy to mitigate the impact. Timely warnings and preparedness are critical to saving lives and minimizing damage.

The 2023-24 El Niño period has already been identified as one of the five strongest in history, breaking global temperature records in 2024.