22/05/2026
Meteorologists are warning that a potentially powerful super El Niño may begin forming in the Pacific Ocean around the start of summer and could intensify by October or November. Experts say such an event could rival some of the strongest El Niño periods ever recorded, shifting global weather patterns and increasing the risk of droughts, floods, food shortages, disease outbreaks, and displacement across vulnerable regions worldwide.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is already preparing for possible humanitarian impacts as officials monitor conditions closely. Past El Niño events have devastated agriculture, fisheries, water supplies, and public health systems, especially in regions already struggling with poverty, conflict, or climate instability. Scientists also warn that strong ocean warming can damage marine ecosystems and fisheries, creating long-term economic hardship for coastal communities dependent on ocean resources.
Source/Credit: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, climate and meteorological reporting