GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – World Meteorological Organization has called on nations worldwide to bolster health preparedness amid El Niño’s escalating strength. Projected to reach very strong levels by late 2026, this climate pattern poses major threats such as extreme heat, floods, droughts, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality. The warning underscores the threat to healthcare infrastructure as shifting rainfall and temperature patterns impact populations across multiple regions.
Forecasts from WMO Global Producing Centres indicate nearly a 100% chance that El Niño will persist until February 2027. Persistently warm waters in the tropical Pacific are fueling the event’s growth. WMO anticipates a peak toward the end of 2026, with climate impacts extending into 2027. The organization notes that such strong events can significantly alter global rainfall and temperature trends, heightening the risk of extreme weather events.
During an urban heat resilience conference in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the health dangers posed by El Niño. She called for closer cooperation among governments, health agencies, and community groups with meteorological services. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable because buildings and roads absorb daytime heat and release it slowly at night. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses face increased risk during extended high-temperature periods.
Health agencies enhance readiness for El Niño impacts
On September 5, World Health Organization released a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focusing on El Niño. The report aids countries and regions in risk assessment, preparedness, and early intervention for vulnerable populations. It emphasizes health-system readiness amid changing climate conditions and utilizes seasonal forecasts to identify periods and locations at increased risk from heat and rainfall-related health threats.
Both WMO and WHO warn that rising temperatures and altered rainfall can foster conditions conducive to mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Cholera and malnutrition also pose serious concerns, especially in drought- and flood-affected zones. Currently, more than 150 million individuals are facing acute food insecurity globally, intensifying pressures on regions impacted by climate-induced disruptions to food supplies and livelihoods.
Converging threats of heat, disease, and food insecurity
As El Niño peaks towards the end of 2026, southern Africa, South America, and Australia are entering their hottest seasons. WMO raised concerns about the overlap exacerbating drought, wildfires, smoke, and air pollution. Elevated temperatures can worsen cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health issues. Wildfire smoke and poor air quality further elevate respiratory risks, while prolonged heat hampers recovery, especially in densely populated urban areas and poorly ventilated homes.
WMO collaborates with partners to enhance climate services aimed at protecting health and strengthening ties between meteorological and public health authorities. The goal is to provide forecasts in formats that enable prompt decision-making by health and emergency agencies. WHO’s latest assessment also emphasizes the importance of improved disease surveillance and rapid response systems as El Niño alters temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations have prioritized early warning systems, preparedness measures, and coordinated climate-health information as key components of their response to the escalating 2026 El Niño event.