El Niño expected to intensify between July and September, WMO warns

The El Niño weather phenomenon, which contributes to higher global temperatures, is likely to intensify between July and September, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).El Niño events are classified into four categories: weak, moderate, strong and very strong. According to the latest assessment, the current event has been classified as strong, the third-highest category.El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern marked by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.The phenomenon typically develops every two to seven years and can persist for between nine months and one year, according to WMO.A strong El Niño is defined by sea surface temperatures rising between 1.5°C and 2.0°C above the long-term average.Countries located near the equator, including Sri Lanka, are expected to experience direct impacts from the phenomenon.Experts warn that reduced water availability for paddy cultivation and other crops could lead to lower agricultural yields. Falling water levels in major reservoirs may also affect hydroelectric power generation, raising concerns over energy supplies.Health authorities are also expected to face increased risks associated with prolonged high temperatures, including dehydration, heatstroke and a rise in heat-related illnesses.Environmental scientists have noted that while El Niño is a natural climate cycle, its impacts have become significantly more severe due to human-induced climate change. They attribute the increasing intensity of El Niño events to rising greenhouse gas emissions, which continue to warm the planet.