El Niño Is Here, and It Could Be as Bad as the 1997 Record — Africa’s Health Systems Face the Wreckage

El Niño Is Here, and It Could Be as Bad as the 1997 Record — Africa’s Health Systems Face the Wreckage

A powerful El Niño has formed in the Pacific Ocean, and scientists warn it could become one of the strongest ever recorded, threatening to unleash extreme weather across the globe while Africa — already reeling from climate-fueled disease outbreaks and overwhelmed health systems — braces for the worst.

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The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the El Niño on Thursday, giving it a 63% chance of becoming one of the strongest on record since 1950 [170850]. The natural warming pattern adds heat to the Pacific’s surface, which fuels extreme events like heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires around the world [170850][170783]. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the El Niño an “urgent climate warning,” saying it will “pour fuel on the fire of a warming world” [170850].

Africa, which contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, already suffers some of the worst climate-related health impacts on the planet. Rising temperatures are fueling a surge in infectious diseases, worsening air pollution, and driving up death rates. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, and storms are overwhelming health systems across the continent [171467]. As the Bonn Climate Conference begins this week, these realities are taking center stage [171467].

Scientists say climate change from burning fossil fuels may lead to stronger El Niños in the future, though it is too early to say if this one is part of that trend [170850]. Experts warn the event will likely amplify global heat and fuel extreme weather over the coming months [170783]. Parts of western South America face heavy rain and floods, India faces more intense heat waves, and northeastern Africa may swing from drought to dangerous rains [170850].

“It can get dire very quickly,” said Clark University climate scientist Abby Frazier [170850]. Columbia University climate scientist Muhammad Azhar Ehsan urged preparation: “Instead of scared, we can ask people to be prepared” [170850].

Sources

Africa faces climate health crisis as Bonn talks begin #171467**El Nino is here. Scientists fear it will be as bad as the 1997 record.** #170850El Nino is back. It could be one of the strongest ever. #170783

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