Critical Date Announced for Rapidly Strengthening El Niño
Experts warned that El Niño, expected to peak towards the end of the year, will increase extreme temperatures, droughts, and serious health risks.
World Meteorological Organization and World Health Organization officials drew attention to the dangers of the rapidly strengthening El Niño weather event on climate and public health, announcing that it is expected to peak towards the end of the year.
Record Temperatures in El Niño
Armel Castellan, Technical Advisor for Extreme Heat Services at the World Meteorological Organization, announced that the El Niño weather event, which causes temperature increases, is rapidly strengthening and that the two hottest months on record have been left behind.
Pointing out that sea surface temperatures are hovering at record levels, Castellan stated that these effects are being seen in climate-sensitive sectors and will gradually increase.
Peak Expectation at the End of the Year
Officials stated that they expect El Niño to peak towards the end of the year, but that this peak is not a finish line and its effects will continue.
It was emphasized that this situation is not merely a matter related to temperature, but rather fundamentally shakes climate balances.
Drought and Precipitation Risks
In the WMO's September-November period forecasts, it was pointed out that while above-normal precipitation is expected in some regions, other regions will experience a severe drought risk.
It was conveyed that these imbalances directly threaten water security and nutritional conditions.
Public Health Threats
Teresa Zakaria, Head of the Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Action, and Health Emergency Responses Unit at the World Health Organization, emphasized that El Niño is a significant public health threat.
It was noted that extreme weather conditions alter the risk of contracting various diseases and trigger vector-borne diseases.
Aggravating Chronic Diseases
It was reported that exposure to heat can lead to deaths by exacerbating cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health problems.
Experts called on governments and societies to take early action and invest in preparedness efforts.