GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – World Meteorological Organization has called on nations to gear up for increasing health hazards as El Niño intensifies around the globe. This climate phenomenon is projected to reach very strong strength by late 2026. WMO identified key threats such as extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality. The alert also emphasizes the potential strain on health infrastructure as shifts in rainfall and temperature impact communities across various regions.
Forecast data from WMO Global Producing Centres indicates nearly a 100% chance that El Niño will continue until February 2027. The persistent warm waters in the tropical Pacific are contributing to the event’s ongoing escalation. WMO anticipates El Niño will peak toward the end of 2026, with climate consequences extending into 2027. The organization notes that intense events can significantly alter global rainfall and temperature distributions, thereby increasing the risk of extreme weather occurrences.
During an urban heat resilience event in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the health dangers posed by El Niño. She urged governments, health agencies, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological organizations. Urban areas are especially vulnerable to heat because buildings and roads tend to absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic illnesses face heightened risks during extended periods of high temperatures.
Health agencies ramp up efforts to prepare for El Niño
World Health Organization issued a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis on El Niño on September 5. This document aims to aid countries and regions in assessing risks, planning preparedness, and initiating early interventions for vulnerable populations. WHO also emphasizes the importance of health-system readiness as climate conditions evolve across affected areas. Seasonal forecasts are utilized in this analysis to help authorities identify times and locations where changes in heat and rainfall, along with related health risks, need closer monitoring.
According to WMO and WHO, rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can create favorable conditions for mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Cholera and malnutrition are also among the critical concerns in regions experiencing droughts and floods. Currently, over 150 million individuals face acute food insecurity worldwide, intensifying pressures in areas already impacted by climate-driven disruptions to food production and livelihoods.
Converging threats from heat, disease, and food insecurity
As El Niño approaches its late-2026 peak, southern Africa, South America, and Australia will enter their hottest seasons. WMO has expressed concern that this overlap could trigger droughts, wildfires, smoke, and worsening air pollution. Exposure to extreme heat can exacerbate cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health issues. Additionally, wildfire smoke and compromised air quality heighten respiratory risks, while prolonged heat waves can hinder recovery, especially for those in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban environments.
WMO is collaborating with partners to enhance climate services related to health and to strengthen communication channels between meteorological and public health sectors. The goal is to provide forecasts that facilitate prompt decision-making by health authorities and emergency responders. The latest WHO assessment stresses the importance of improved disease surveillance and rapid response systems as El Niño continues to alter temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations are prioritizing early warning, preparedness, and coordinated climate-health information as integral parts of their response strategy to the escalating 2026 El Niño event.