El Niño has formed across the equatorial Pacific, setting the stage for months of droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations that will threaten communities worldwide, agriculture, and energy.
The climate phenomenon, identified by the Japan Meteorological Agency, is the first since 2023 and could be one of the strongest on record.
The El Niño event is expected to intensify in the coming months and become very strong later in the year, persisting into at least December, according to the JMA.
El Niño is characterized by a warming of the Pacific Ocean that alters global weather patterns, which can damage crops and strain power grids.
Even before the declaration, its impact has been felt across various regions, from a delayed start to the Indian monsoon to a temporary halt to Peru's fishing season.
