Beyond records, impacts could include intensified heatwaves, coral bleaching, and disruptions to agriculture and water supplies across multiple continents. In regions like India, where monsoon rains support hundreds of millions, a developing El Niño often correlates with weaker rainfall, though exact outcomes depend on the event’s strength and timing.
While natural climate variability such as El Niño plays a role, the background warming linked to climate change adds to the heat available to these systems.
Nepal’s experience illustrates both what is possible when policies, education and community programmes align, and how easily gains can bypass those who need them most.
While natural climate variability such as El Niño plays a role, the background warming linked to climate change adds to the heat available to these systems.