El Niño could kill 15,800 in India within next 6 months, says survey: What is it? How does it affect temperatures?
The study warned that India could see a significant share of these deaths during the winter months, with the impact expected to continue into the country's summer.
A recent study from the University of Chicago warns that a powerful "Super El Niño" climate event could lead to nearly 16,000 additional heat-related deaths in India over the next six months. This projection, which includes global estimates of 451,000 extra deaths, highlights the potential impact of this unusual warming of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures.
The greatest concentration of these deaths is expected to occur between December and February, with the threat continuing into India's summer months. El Niño, a recurring climate phenomenon, is linked to altered rainfall and temperature patterns worldwide, with trade winds weakening and persisting for up to a year.
The World Meteorological Organization has expressed concern that this year's El Niño may be particularly intense, with average land temperatures potentially remaining 1.2°C above normal. Researchers suggest that these extreme conditions could mirror climate scenarios projected for 20 years from now.
The Climate Impact Lab study at the University of Chicago projected a 44% increase in extremely hot days compared to historical averages. To mitigate the projected deaths, targeted emergency measures such as heat alerts, outreach programs for vulnerable populations, cooling centers, hydration stations, and improved healthcare capacity are recommended.
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