The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said El Niño could return as early as May to July this year, with climate models showing a rapid rise in equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures.The World Meteorological Organization said in its latest global seasonal climate update that there is growing confidence that El Niño will emerge, following neutral conditions earlier this year. Wilfran Moufouma Okia said: “After a period of neutral conditions at the start of the year, climate models are now highly consistent with high confidence that an El Niño outbreak will occur, with further intensification in subsequent months.”He added: “Models suggest this could be a significant event, but the so-called spring predictability barrier challenges forecast certainty at this time of year. After April, forecast confidence generally improved. “The report predicts “above-normal surface temperatures almost globally” over the next three months, with significant regional differences in rainfall. El Niño is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is known to affect global weather, often weakening monsoon systems in parts of Asia.What is El Niño?El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by increased sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific as part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. It occurs erratically every two to seven years and usually lasts around nine to twelve months. During El Niño, the usual easterly trade winds weaken or may reverse, disrupting global weather patterns. This could lead to drier conditions in Australia, Indonesia and parts of South Asia, while bringing heavier rainfall to parts of the Americas and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events.this India Meteorological Department The IMD also predicts a below-normal southwest monsoon in 2026, the first such forecast in three years, with rainfall likely to be around 92% of the long-term average.Despite growing concerns over the monsoon, a severe heat wave has swept through large parts of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha district, causing temperatures well above 45°C, exacerbating public discomfort. Akola recorded a high temperature of 46.9°C, the highest temperature in the country, followed by Amravati (46.8°C), Wardha (46.4°C) and Yavatmal (46.0°C). Due to the influence of hot winds and dry weather, the temperature in Nagpur touched 45.4°C, the highest temperature of the season so far.With no respite in sight, the IMD has issued an orange alert warning of severe heat wave conditions for Akola, Amravati and Wardha, while the yellow alert remains in place for Nagpur, Chandrapur and Buldhana.Not only did Akola top the national charts, but it also ranked among the hottest regions in the world, ranking third globally for the day. Amravati (4th), Wardha (6th), Yavatmal (8th) and Nagpur (10th) also feature in the global top 10, highlighting the intensity of the heat wave in the region.In Delhi, authorities stepped up preparations. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a slew of measures, including providing ORS solutions in schools and ensuring uninterrupted power and water supply. She also directed departments to ensure workers are not exposed to peak heat between 1 pm and 4 pm.
