Israel prepares for effects of 'Godzilla' El Niño with Health Ministry drills
El Niño typically peaks around December, but Israelis could see more rain and flooding in early autumn because of the strength of this year's weather event.
The Health Ministry in Israel conducted a drill to prepare for the anticipated effects of a "Godzilla" El Niño event, which could be the strongest on record. The El Niño phenomenon, which warms the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, alters global weather patterns and typically brings wetter winters to the Mediterranean region, including Israel.
This year, forecasters expect the El Niño to be more intense, potentially pushing the planet's average global temperature to over 1.5 degrees Celsius, making 2027 the hottest year on record. The drill tested Israel's health system's readiness to handle various scenarios, including floods, heavy snowfall, and strong winds, as well as the potential impact on government systems like power and water outages.
The Ministry examined the response to health consequences that could arise from extreme weather events and climate change, such as a rise in diseases like rabies and West Nile fever. The drill involved representatives from various health and emergency services, including hospitals, Magen David Adom, the Fire and Rescue Authority, and the Home Front Command.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
