WMO warns of 'Very Strong' El Nino event lasting until February 2027

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a comprehensive climate advisory warning that an unusually persistent 'Very Strong' El Niño phenomenon has developed and is projected to continue affecting global weather dynamics through February 2027. The declaration calls on nations to strengthen disaster readiness and water resource management.

El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, characterized by anomalous warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This oceanic shift weakens trade winds and disrupts the atmospheric Walker Circulation, causing severe shifts in global precipitation patterns.

Historically, strong El Niño conditions correlate with suppressed Southwest Monsoon rainfall across India, leading to elevated drought risks, agricultural stress, and reduced reservoir levels. Conversely, it triggers heavy flooding along the western coast of South America while contributing to record global surface temperatures and severe marine heatwaves.

This update is essential for UPSC Prelims and Mains GS-3 under Physical Geography and Environment. Aspirants must master concepts like ENSO, Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Walker Cell circulation, and the direct socio-economic impacts of climate anomalies on Indian monsoon systems and crop output.