New El Niño increases global drought threat
A new El Niño has started, bringing a change in weather patterns and the increased threat of drought in many parts of the world. The phenomenon, which happens every two to seven years, occurs when the surface ocean waters of the Eastern Pacific are unusually warm. Officially known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, it affects wind patterns around the world and can cause drought and heavy rains. The latest El Niño brings fears of drought in Australia and the prospect of floods in South America. Robert Stefanski, from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), warned that El Niño could disrupt the rains in crop areas. Typically, El Niño has the potential to disrupt the rainy seasons and cause lower rainfall in India, Australia, Southeast Asia — the Philippines and Indonesia — southern Africa and Central America,” he said. “In past El Niño events, droughts have occurred and lowered food production in many of these regions.” …
