By Zoila Palma: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is warning governments and communities across Asia and the Pacific to prepare for a very strong El Niño event expected to intensify toward the end of 2026.
The warning follows confirmation from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on September 3 that El Niño is firmly established, with its effects expected to increase the risks of flooding, drought and extreme heat into 2027.
According to the UNDP, the WMO estimates a nearly 100 percent likelihood that El Niño will persist through February 2027.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that typically develops every two to seven years and lasts between nine and 12 months.
However, the UNDP noted that these events are now occurring on a warmer planet, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projecting that extreme El Niño events could occur about twice as often this century compared with the previous century.
The UNDP cautioned that some of the most serious impacts may occur after the event reaches its peak. Agricultural and food-security impacts could become more severe in late 2026 and 2027, with parts of mainland Southeast Asia historically experiencing significant effects between February and May of the second year of an El Niño event.
Drier conditions, water shortages, crop losses, wildfires and extreme heat could place additional pressure on communities already facing elevated food, fuel and fertilizer costs.
The post International News: United Nations Development Programme warns very strong El Niño could raise flood, drought and heat risks appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is warning governments and communities across Asia and the Pacific to prepare for a very strong El Niño event expected to intensify toward the end of 2026. The warning follows confirmation from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on September 3 that El Niño is firmly established,
The post International News: United Nations Development Programme warns very strong El Niño could raise flood, drought and heat risks appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
