NEW YORK: India’s crucial monsoon season could face increasing pressure as a strengthening climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean raises the risk of below-normal rainfall, the United Nations has warned, with global temperatures expected to climb further in the coming months.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said weather conditions are expected to intensify between August and October because of El Niño, a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that develops when surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become unusually warm.
The warming disrupts global wind and rainfall patterns, often bringing drought to some regions while causing heavier rainfall and flooding in others.
For India, the WMO warned of a higher probability of weaker-than-normal monsoon rainfall, raising concerns over drought conditions, water shortages and agricultural output.
The monsoon is vital for millions of farmers and plays a central role in the country’s food production and water supplies.
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the strengthening weather pattern was “adding fuel to a planet already on fire”, warning that the world was entering “uncharted territory” as climate change amplifies extreme weather events.
The WMO also warned that marine heatwaves are expected to intensify, with sea surface temperatures projected to rise to nearly three degrees Celsius above normal in some regions.
Beyond India, drier conditions are forecast across parts of Australia, South America, North America and equatorial Africa, while above-average rainfall is expected in southern Europe, Central Asia, the Horn of Africa and parts of South America.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo urged governments to strengthen disaster preparedness and protect vulnerable communities as weather risks increase in the months ahead.
