Record-breaking El Niño threatens drought in Asia and global food prices

All signs indicate that this year’s El Niño could become the strongest on record, prompting meteorologists and climate scientists to warn of widespread repercussions. Satellite observations and sea‑surface temperature data show unprecedented warming in the central and eastern Pacific, a pattern historically linked to shifts in global weather systems. Researchers from the World Meteorological Organization and regional climate agencies have highlighted the anomaly as a catalyst for extreme conditions that may unfold over the coming months.

Experts anticipate that the intensified El Niño will trigger severe drought across large parts of Asia, while simultaneously amplifying storm activity, heatwaves, and flooding in other regions. The resulting disruptions to agricultural cycles are expected to strain food supplies, potentially affecting millions of people who rely on rain‑fed crops and stable markets. International bodies are urging governments to intensify monitoring, bolster water‑management strategies, and prepare contingency plans to mitigate the looming threat to food security.