Experts Warn of Devastating El Niño Impacts on India

Gist A coalition of 188 scientists and ecologists has issued an urgent appeal to study and prepare for the impending effects of a potential 'Super' El Niño. Record-high temperature anomalies in the Pacific Ocean threaten to trigger severe droughts, widespread coral bleaching, and mass tree mortality across the Indian subcontinent. For aspirants, understanding the cascading impacts of this climatic event—from delayed monsoons to urban heat islands and agricultural distress—is critical for grasping India's climate vulnerabilities and disaster preparedness needs. Background El Niño is a global climate phenomenon characterized by the unusual warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. In the Indian context, it typically dampens the southwest monsoon, leading to deficient rainfall, extreme heat, and drought-like conditions across the subcontinent. The event is officially recognized when Pacific sea surface temperatures persistently cross a specific positive anomaly threshold baseline of 0.5°C . The severity of the event dictates its broader ecological and economic disruptions, shifting weather patterns globally and altering marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Key Pointers Agrarian Distress: The impending El Niño threatens food security and livelihoods, with anticipated…