Bhubaneswar: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that there is an 80 percent probability of an El Niño event developing between June and August, raising concerns about its potential impact on global weather patterns, temperatures, and rainfall distribution.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Typically lasting between nine and twelve months, the event can significantly alter atmospheric circulation patterns and influence weather conditions across the globe.
Meteorologists caution that El Niño often contributes to higher global temperatures and an increased frequency of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and intense rainfall in different regions. The phenomenon can disrupt normal climate systems, affecting agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems worldwide.
For India, the development of El Niño is being closely monitored due to its historical association with weaker southwest monsoon rainfall. A deficient monsoon can adversely affect agricultural production, reservoir levels, and rural livelihoods, particularly in regions heavily dependent on seasonal rains.
Climate experts note that while El Niño does not automatically guarantee a weak monsoon, several past El Niño years have coincided with below-normal rainfall across parts of the country. The actual impact on India’s monsoon will depend on the strength of the event and interactions with other climatic factors, including conditions in the Indian Ocean.
The WMO said the potential emergence of El Niño comes after several years dominated by La Niña conditions and could further contribute to elevated global temperatures. Scientists are continuing to monitor oceanic and atmospheric indicators to assess the evolution and intensity of the developing climate pattern in the coming months.
With the monsoon season approaching, governments, farmers, and disaster management agencies are expected to closely track weather forecasts and advisories as the possibility of an El Niño event increases.
-OdishaAge
