Global Governments Prepare for Severe Weather Linked to Strengthening El Niño

As the El Niño phenomenon intensifies, countries worldwide are bracing for potential climate disasters, including droughts, floods, and wildfires. Sri Lanka is particularly affected, with plans to deliver water to nearly 72,000 residents across seven districts due to severe drought conditions. Water levels in numerous small tanks have plummeted to about 10 percent capacity, prompting the government to allocate 4.8 billion rupees (approximately $14 million) for emergency water distribution.

Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi noted that El Niño is expected to peak sooner than previously anticipated, possibly by November. While heavy rainfall from year-end monsoons is expected, concerns remain about the potential for drought to return early next year.

In Indonesia, the situation is dire as wildfires have ravaged over 200,000 hectares (494,200 acres) of land, exacerbated by dry conditions linked to El Niño. The thick smoke has severely compromised air quality in affected areas, prompting officials to advise residents to wear masks.

Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to deploy a military hospital to Peru next year, while Honduras has declared drought alerts for 80 percent of the country due to crop losses and livestock deaths related to the El Niño-driven dry weather.

Source: www.aljazeera.com