“Prepare for the Impact: El Nino Set to Persist Throughout 2023”

The United Nations has issued a warning about the persistence of the El Nino weather phenomenon throughout 2023, which is expected to trigger higher global temperatures. El Nino is a climate pattern that leads to increased heat worldwide, drought in some regions, and heavy rains in others. It occurs every two to seven years, with episodes lasting nine to 12 months.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that El Nino is already underway and has a 90% chance of continuing in the second half of 2023. The WMO Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas, emphasized the need for governments to prepare for the impacts of El Nino on health, ecosystems, and economies. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also confirmed the arrival of El Nino, expected to be of moderate strength.

El Nino is characterized by the warming of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It alternates with La Nina, a cooling phase, with neutral conditions in between. El Nino events can lead to increased rainfall in certain regions and severe droughts in others. The last El Nino occurred in 2015-2016, while a triple-dip La Nina persisted from 2020 to early 2023.

The WMO predicts a 98% likelihood that at least one of the next five years will be the warmest on record. The organization also anticipates a rise in global temperatures due to the delayed effects of El Nino. The World Health Organization is assisting countries in preparing for the impact of El Nino, particularly focusing on potential health risks such as cholera, malaria, and malnutrition.

Overall, the warning from the UN highlights the importance of early preparations and anticipatory actions to mitigate the effects of El Nino on various aspects of life worldwide.