El Nino, which occurs when surface waters in the equatorial part of the Pacific Ocean warm more than normal, affects temperature and precipitation patterns around the world, causing extreme weather events.
El Niño, whose effects have become increasingly stronger in recent months, manifests itself with droughts, floods, hurricanes and extreme heat in many countries, especially in the USA, Indonesia and India.
In the "Global Seasonal Climate Update" report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it was stated that the probability of the effects of El Nino to continue until February 2027 is close to 100 percent.
The report noted that El Nino is expected to get stronger before reaching its peak in December, and that this situation may increase temperatures around the world and change rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of drought and floods.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also reported that the probability of a very strong El Niño in the fall of 2026 and winter of 2027 exceeds 90 percent.
EL NINO NEGATIVELY AFFECTS MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES
According to data from the World Resources Institute (WRI), a think tank based in the USA, the temperature increase caused by El Nino puts pressure on marine ecosystems and fishing activities.
Warming ocean waters reduce the amount of nutrient-rich water transported from the depths to the surface, causing fish populations to decline or shift.
This situation affects commercially important species such as anchovy and tuna, especially in Peru, and endangers the income of fishing communities.
Rising water temperatures due to El Niño damage seagrasses and kelp forests, while also causing mass bleaching in coral reefs, negatively affecting marine ecosystems.
DROUGHT AND FLOOD RISK IS INCREASING
According to WRI, as El Niño affects rainfall patterns, the risk of drought in some parts of the world and excessive rainfall and flood risk in others is expected to increase.
It is predicted that drought may put pressure on water resources and agriculture in the Caribbean, Central America, India, some parts of Africa, Indonesia and Australia.
It is estimated that excessive rainfall may cause floods and floods in the south of the USA, Peru, Ecuador, east of Africa and some parts of the Middle East and Central Asia.
THE BIGGEST FIRES OF RECENT YEARS IN INDONESIA
Local media reports stated that approximately 896 thousand hectares of land were damaged in the forest fires that have been ongoing in Indonesia since January.
While education was suspended in some schools due to fires, millions of people were exposed to intense smoke, especially in the Sumatra and Kalimantan regions, and respiratory diseases were observed in approximately 175 thousand people across the country.
Experts stated that El Niño, which deepens the drought by increasing temperatures in the country that has experienced the biggest fires in recent years, played an important role in the spread of fires.
On the other hand, fires not only destroy the country's vegetation, but also narrow the feeding and sheltering areas of wildlife.
Fires in Indonesia, which is rich in biodiversity, are forcing endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger, Javan rhino and Bornean orangutan to live in increasingly smaller areas.
HURACINES ARE INCREASING IN THE PACIFIC
Due to the influence of El Nino, there was an increase in hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Experts stated that El Nino's warming of ocean waters and weakening of winds in the upper layers of the atmosphere create conditions suitable for hurricanes to strengthen.
While 22 tropical storms and 12 hurricanes were recorded in the Eastern Pacific this year, experts pointed out that these figures exceeded the annual averages two months before the end of the hurricane season.
DECREASING MONSOON RAIN IN INDIA AFFECTS AGRICULTURE
In India, where hot and dry weather conditions are observed due to the effect of El Nino, monsoon precipitation, which is of great importance for agricultural production, was below seasonal norms.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department, rainfall was 26 percent below average in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country and 24 percent below average in the southern states.
Experts state that El Niño negatively affects agricultural production by causing a decrease and irregularities in monsoon rainfall.
EL NINO INCREASES THE SEVERITY OF TYPHONS IN CHINA AND JAPAN
Typhoons Maysak and Dujuan, which were effective in the western Pacific Ocean, caused large-scale floods and landslides in eastern China and Japan.
According to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, 10 tropical cyclones formed in the Western Pacific this season, and this number reached the highest level recorded since 1966.
Experts state that new typhoons may occur in the rest of the year and cause more negative effects in China and Japan.
