By Zoila Palma: Nearly 451,000 people worldwide could die from extreme heat linked to a strengthening El Niño between June 2026 and February 2027, according to a new analysis by the Climate Impact Lab.
Researchers say the climate pattern, which typically raises global temperatures, has entered unusually strong territory and is expected to combine with ongoing warming caused by fossil fuel pollution, increasing the risk of deadly heat.
The analysis estimates that El Niño could push global land temperatures about 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.1 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal in the coming months, resulting in 44% more days of extreme heat than would occur during an average year. The researchers compared projected temperatures and mortality across more than 24,000 regions with conditions recorded during the same months from 1996 to 2025.
Countries in the Global South are expected to experience the greatest impact. Nigeria is projected to record the highest number of El Niño-related heat deaths, at approximately 31,400, followed by countries including Indonesia, Sudan, India and Brazil.
The United States is also among the 20 countries projected to be most affected, with an estimated 3,500 additional heat-related deaths. Researchers warn that the overall toll could increase if El Niño persists into the Northern Hemisphere spring and its effects extend into the summer.
The report, which has not yet undergone peer review, recommends early heat warnings, emergency health plans, cooling and hydration centers and expanded healthcare access to reduce deaths.
The post International News: Super-sized El Niño could cause more than 450,000 heat deaths by February, study suggests appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Nearly 451,000 people worldwide could die from extreme heat linked to a strengthening El Niño between June 2026 and February 2027, according to a new analysis by the Climate Impact Lab. Researchers say the climate pattern, which typically raises global temperatures, has entered unusually strong territory and is expected to combine with
The post International News: Super-sized El Niño could cause more than 450,000 heat deaths by February, study suggests appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
