GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – As El Niño intensifies and elevates climate-related health threats, international health organizations are calling for enhanced readiness measures. The World Meteorological Organization predicts that the phenomenon will reach very strong levels before the close of 2026. Key risks include extreme heat, drought, flooding, wildfire smoke, and deteriorating air quality. Additionally, shifting rainfall patterns are likely to strain food supplies, water resources, and public health infrastructure in vulnerable regions.
Forecasts made earlier this year suggest that El Niño will persist into February 2027. The ongoing event is being fueled by unusually warm waters across the tropical Pacific Ocean, with the most intense conditions anticipated around late 2026. This climate pattern can significantly modify rainfall and temperature across large swathes of the globe, potentially causing drought in some areas while increasing flood risks in others. Elevated temperatures during hot seasons are also expected to intensify.
Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of WMO, has emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between meteorological agencies and health authorities. She pointed out the necessity of incorporating climate data into public health planning and early warning systems. Urban environments are particularly vulnerable because surfaces such as roads and buildings absorb and retain heat. Elderly individuals, children, and outdoor workers face heightened danger during extended hot periods. Those with pre-existing health issues may also experience amplified adverse effects from sustained high temperatures.
Climate-related threats are placing additional pressure on health systems
World Health Organization published a comprehensive global health assessment on El Niño in September. The document underscores the importance of preparedness, surveillance, and swift action by health authorities at national and regional levels. It explores risks associated with heat waves, water security, infectious diseases, and nutrition. By utilizing seasonal climate forecasts, health systems can better identify periods of increased danger. The report also highlights the importance of monitoring vulnerable populations as patterns of temperature and rainfall evolve.
Increased temperatures and altered rainfall regimes can foster conditions conducive to several mosquito-borne illnesses. Monitoring efforts are focused on diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Flooding and water supply disruptions may lead to a rise in cholera cases among exposed communities. Drought conditions threaten crops, diminish water availability, and exacerbate food insecurity. Currently, over 150 million individuals are already confronting severe food shortages, amplifying the strain on areas affected by climate disturbances.
Rising heat levels compound health and food security challenges
Australia, along with parts of Southern Africa and South America, are approaching their hotter seasons as El Niño peaks toward the end of 2026. This timing intensifies concerns over heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and deteriorating air quality. Elevated temperatures can aggravate cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, and metabolic conditions. Additionally, heat impacts mental health and impairs sleep recovery, especially in poorly ventilated homes. Smoke from wildfires further worsens respiratory issues, notably for those with asthma and other lung diseases.
In response, climate and health organizations are expanding initiatives to link weather predictions with public health decision-making. The WMO collaborates with partners to enhance climate services tailored for health authorities and emergency responders. Meanwhile, the WHO continues to prioritize disease surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response strategies as El Niño develops. Both entities recognize early warning systems as vital tools in mitigating health risks, emphasizing the importance of using reliable climate data to enable timely interventions in affected regions.