The WHO declared a state of emergency due to El Niño

The current El Niño is strengthening and may become the strongest on record by December, according to the WMO's climate report for 2026. For the first time, the WHO has declared a health emergency due to the anticipated health impacts of El Niño. The WMO highlights that greenhouse gases are trapping unprecedented amounts of heat, with oceans absorbing 90% of this excess heat. El Niño releases this stored heat, exacerbating climate change effects such as extreme heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and heavy rainfall leading to flash floods. These weather phenomena pose significant health risks, potentially spreading diseases like cholera and malaria, worsening food security, and degrading air quality due to wildfires. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, emphasized that we have entered a new era of climate extremes. The WMO's report was released at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, noting record high global temperatures and sea levels, alongside ongoing glacier retreat.