Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs: "This El Niño phenomenon is a giant, a wrecking ball — it will devastate Latin America"

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a concerning forecast about the evolution of El Niño. This weather phenomenon moves across the world like a destructive force capable of severely altering climate systems. According to the new seasonal forecast, the climate event will reach extreme intensity over the coming months. Technical data anticipate an increase in central Pacific temperatures of up to 3.8 degrees Celsius above the usual average. This peak will occur between November and January, with its maximum point near December. The WMO Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, highlighted the unprecedented magnitude of this record. "We had never recorded a value of 3.8 in our records. In some historical El Niño events we have observed values around 3, with very significant repercussions around the world. So we have surpassed that limit," Saulo said. The WMO Secretary-General, Celeste SauloFABRICE COFFRINI - AFPFor his part, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, emphasized the imminent danger of this climate phase. Fletcher described the phenomenon as a giant that will devastate various regions. "This El Niño phenomenon is a giant, a wrecking ball. It will sweep across Latin America, East and Southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific with extreme heat, droughts and floods," the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator said about the projected impact. El Niño is the warm phase of the natural cycle known as El Niño-Southern Oscillation. This pattern alters precipitation and raises temperatures globally. While climate change does not cause this event, global warming amplifies its intensity. The direct consequences affect the stability of essential services such as access to water, housing and sanitation. In southern Africa, the WMO warns of a high risk of flooding from November. In Southeast Asia, the lack of rainfall and rising temperatures are hitting agriculture and water supply. Latin America, on the other hand, faces a scenario of heavier rainfall. International organizations warn that some 50 million people face the danger of increased hunger due to the damage the phenomenon causes to global food security. Faced with this outlook, Tom Fletcher and WMO experts called on governments to adopt urgent measures to mitigate the humanitarian effects of this climate crisis. The situation demands rapid responses to the threat of prolonged droughts, extreme heat and recurrent floods that will affect vulnerable communities on several continents during the Southern Hemisphere summer period. The international community is closely monitoring the trajectory of this climate giant while prediction models adjust the possible disaster scenarios awaiting the geographic areas mentioned by the experts in their recent official reports. This content was produced by a LA NACION team with the assistance of AI.