GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has called on nations worldwide to bolster health preparedness amid the escalating effects of El Niño. This climate phenomenon is projected to reach a very strong level by the end of 2026. WMO has pinpointed severe heatwaves, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and declining air quality as key threats. The organization also emphasizes the danger posed to health infrastructures as shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures influence communities across various regions.
Forecasts from WMO Global Producing Centres indicate a nearly 100% probability that El Niño will continue through February 2027. Persistent warm waters across the tropical Pacific are fueling the event’s intensification. WMO anticipates that El Niño will peak late in 2026, with climate impacts extending into 2027. The organization warns that strong El Niño episodes can cause major shifts in global rainfall and temperature trends, heightening the risk of extreme weather events.
During an urban heat resilience forum in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo underscored the significant health risks associated with El Niño. She urged governments, health agencies, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological services. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable because of how buildings and roads absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic health issues are at heightened risk during extended periods of high temperatures.
Health Authorities Enhance Measures for El Niño Preparedness
On September 5, the World Health Organization released a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focused on El Niño. This document aims to aid countries and regions in conducting risk evaluations, preparing appropriate response strategies, and initiating early interventions for vulnerable groups. WHO emphasizes the importance of health-system readiness as climate variability affects affected zones. By leveraging seasonal forecasts, authorities can identify critical periods and locations where heat, rainfall fluctuations, and related health threats demand heightened monitoring.
According to WMO and WHO, rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can create more favorable conditions for mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Cholera outbreaks and malnutrition are also major concerns, especially in drought- and flood-affected regions. Currently, over 150 million people worldwide face acute food insecurity, amplifying the strain on communities impacted by climate-related disruptions to food supply and livelihoods.
Converging Risks of Heat, Disease, and Food Security
As El Niño reaches its late-2026 peak, regions such as southern Africa, South America, and Australia will experience their hottest seasonal periods. The WMO has expressed concern that the overlapping of these conditions could lead to more frequent droughts, wildfires, increased smoke, and worsening air pollution levels. Exposure to extreme heat can exacerbate health issues such as cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health problems. Additionally, wildfire smoke and poor air quality elevate respiratory risks, while prolonged heat stress hampers recovery, especially for those living in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban settings.
WMO’s collaborative efforts with partners are focused on enhancing climate services related to health and strengthening the integration between meteorological and public health authorities. The objective is to provide forecasts in formats that enable timely decision-making by health agencies and emergency responders. WHO’s latest assessment also stresses the importance of enhanced disease surveillance and rapid response mechanisms as El Niño causes shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations are prioritizing early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated climate-health communication as central elements of their strategy against the intensifying 2026 El Niño event.