Kathmandu - As El Niño strengthens in the Pacific, the world faces heightened risks of extreme heat, drought, flooding and shifting rainfall patterns, adding further pressure to an already warming climate.
The development of a strong El Niño event is raising concerns about its potential impacts on global weather patterns, as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights the evolving climate outlook in its latest State of the Climate update for COP31.
Following the end of La Niña earlier this year, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean-the region most closely associated with El Niño-have risen significantly. According to the WMO update, temperatures in this region increased from 0.2°C above average in March to 2.5°C above average in August.
The warming trend could intensify further, with sea surface temperatures potentially reaching 3.7°C above average between October and December as the El Niño phenomenon approaches its peak.
El Niño is expected to persist until February 2027. As a naturally occurring climate pattern involving the periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, it can significantly influence atmospheric circulation, temperature and rainfall across different parts of the world.
Its effects vary by region, increasing the likelihood of drought in some areas while contributing to heavier rainfall and flooding in others. It can also intensify heat conditions and influence the frequency and severity of other weather-related extremes.
The strengthening El Niño comes at a time when communities worldwide are already experiencing growing climate-related challenges, including prolonged heatwaves, water shortages, devastating floods and increasing pressure on agriculture, ecosystems and public infrastructure.
For climate-vulnerable countries such as Nepal, the evolving global climate outlook reinforces the importance of stronger disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure, improved weather forecasting, early-warning systems and locally led adaptation measures. Although El Niño does not directly determine weather conditions in every country, its influence on regional climate patterns makes continued monitoring and preparedness essential.
As world leaders and climate stakeholders gather around COP31, the latest WMO assessment serves as an important reminder that climate resilience must go beyond long-term commitments and translate into practical action, stronger international cooperation and adequate financial support for vulnerable communities.
Understanding and preparing for the changing climate is no longer simply an environmental priority; it is fundamental to protecting lives, livelihoods, food security and sustainable development.
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Published Date 2026-11-15 05:06:00
