Super El Niño could threaten hundreds of thousands of lives by increasing global temperatures

The Climate Impact Laboratory at the University of Chicago announced that the "super El Niño" that took effect this year could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people by increasing global temperatures.

According to the report published by the laboratory, up to 451 thousand additional deaths may occur due to extreme heat in the six-month period between September 2026 and February 2027.

The number of extremely hot days is expected to increase by 44 percent compared to normal years during the same period, the researchers reported.

According to the report, the country where the highest number of additional heat-related deaths will occur is expected to be Nigeria. Approximately 31 thousand 400 additional deaths are predicted in the country in the six-month period.

Nigeria is followed by Indonesia with 19,300 additional deaths and Sudan with 17,600 deaths.

It is estimated that extreme heat may cause a total of 66 thousand 800 additional deaths in the Sahel region of Africa, which includes Nigeria, Sudan, Niger and Chad.

WARNING ALSO FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

Researchers calculated that a total of 19,400 additional deaths could occur due to extreme heat in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

It was stated that if El Niño is effective for a longer period of time in 2027, the loss of life may exceed current estimates.

It was noted that some regions in the Northern Hemisphere, including India and Pakistan, may become more vulnerable to extreme heat during the summer months.

Climate Impact Laboratory described this year's El Niño as "a postcard from the future."

The report emphasized that temperatures considered extraordinary today may become normal conditions within a few decades.

Researchers stated that emergency response efforts should be directed especially to high-risk areas to reduce heat-related deaths.

Michael Greenstone, an economist at the University of Chicago and one of the founding partners of the Climate Impact Laboratory, stated that the report shows decision makers in which regions rapid intervention is needed, and that the lives of tens of thousands of people could be saved in the coming months with the measures to be taken.