Asia braces for record El Niño: droughts, floods and food shortages loom

Asian governments are racing to prepare for what could be the strongest El Niño on record. Hundreds of millions of people face extreme heat, heavy rain and food shortages at the same time. The weather pattern is driven by unusually warm ocean water in the tropical Pacific. It is developing alongside human-caused climate change, making its effects worse. Scientists say El Niño is almost certain to reach very strong intensity late this year and continue into 2027. From Sri Lanka to South Korea, countries are preparing for droughts, wildfires, typhoons and floods. Climate plans are facing their biggest test yet.