GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Meteorological Organization has called on nations to bolster preparations for rising health threats amid the global escalation of El Niño. This climatic phenomenon is projected to reach a very strong intensity by the close of 2026. WMO has identified critical hazards including extreme heat, flooding, drought, wildfire smoke, and worsening air quality as major concerns. The alert also underscores risks to healthcare infrastructure, as shifts in rainfall and temperature impact communities across multiple regions.
Forecasts from WMO Global Producing Centres indicate a near 100% probability that El Niño will continue through February 2027. Persistent warm waters in the tropical Pacific are fueling the event’s ongoing intensification. WMO predicts El Niño will reach its peak toward late 2026, with climate effects extending into 2027. The organization emphasizes that such strong events can cause significant alterations to global rainfall and temperature patterns, heightening the likelihood of extreme weather events.
During an urban heat resilience event in New York this week, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the health dangers associated with El Niño. She urged governments, health authorities, and community groups to work more closely with meteorological agencies. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to heat because buildings and roads absorb heat during the day and release it gradually at night. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses, face increased risk during extended periods of high temperatures.
Health agencies enhance readiness for El Niño impacts
On September 5, the World Health Organization released a comprehensive 63-page Global Public Health Situation Analysis focused on El Niño. This report supports risk assessments, preparedness initiatives, and early intervention strategies for vulnerable populations across countries and regions. WHO also emphasizes health-system resilience as climate conditions evolve. Seasonal forecasts help authorities pinpoint when and where heat, rainfall variations, and related health risks will demand heightened surveillance.
According to WMO and WHO, warmer temperatures and altered rainfall can heighten conditions conducive to mosquito-borne illnesses. Diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika require special attention. Cholera and malnutrition are among the urgent concerns in regions affected by droughts and floods. Over 150 million people are already experiencing acute food insecurity globally, adding further strain to areas impacted by climate-related disruptions in food production and livelihoods.
Converging threats of heat, disease, and food insecurity
As El Niño peaks in late 2026, southern Africa, South America, and Australia will enter their hottest seasons. WMO expressed concern that this overlap could lead to increased drought, wildfires, smoke, and deteriorating air quality. Extended heat can worsen cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and mental health issues. Additionally, wildfire smoke and poor air conditions elevate respiratory risks, while prolonged heat events slow recovery times for residents in poorly ventilated homes and densely populated urban areas.
WMO collaborates with partners to enhance climate services for health and improve connections between meteorological and public health authorities. The initiative aims to provide forecasts in formats that enable timely decision-making by health agencies and emergency services. WHO’s latest assessment also underscores the importance of intensified disease surveillance and rapid response efforts as El Niño influences temperature and rainfall patterns. Both organizations prioritize early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated dissemination of climate-health information as central to their response strategy for the escalating 2026 El Niño event.