The Australian Bureau of Meteorology warned on Tuesday that the El Niño climate phenomenon has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify during the second half of 2026, reaching one of the strongest levels seen in decades.
According to forecasts, this event could become one of the most powerful recorded in approximately 70 years. Australian meteorological authorities emphasize that its evolution remains uncertain, but current signs indicate a gradual intensification in the coming months.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that alters wind and temperature patterns in the Pacific Ocean, causing global weather disruptions. When particularly intense, it can lead to droughts, floods, and extreme heat waves in various parts of the world.
Forecasters believe this weather event could bring excessive rainfall to parts of the Americas, while causing hotter and drier conditions in Asia. These disturbances risk impacting harvests, in a context already fragile for several countries heavily reliant on agriculture.
In Asia, where planting is already disrupted in some areas, concerns are growing about food security, particularly in the world's most densely populated regions. Climate change could impact agricultural yields and increase the volatility of food markets.
In Australia, where agricultural and pastoral systems are also sensitive to climate variations, authorities are closely monitoring the evolution of the phenomenon, which could have significant economic consequences for the rural sector and agricultural exports.
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