super EI Nino
Prelims:
Geography,
Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
Mains:
GS Paper
I – Geography, GS Paper III – Environment, Agriculture, Disaster
Management
Current
relevance:
A "Super El
Niño" is in the news after several global climate agencies and
research organizations warned that a strong El Niño is likely to develop
during 2026.
Highlights:
1.
Definition: A Super El Niño is an extremely
intense El Niño event marked by exceptionally warm sea surface
temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, causing widespread impacts on
rainfall, temperature, and weather systems worldwide.
2.
Background:
Super El Niño events have
occurred several times in the past, 1997–98 and 2015–16 events
are generally recognized as the two strongest Super El Niño episodes in
modern records.
3.
Indices released by U.S. National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
(i)
(ii)
Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)
(iii)
Relative Oceanic Niño Index (RONI)
4.
Impact on India:
(i)
Weakens the Southwest Monsoon, leading to
below-normal rainfall.
(ii)
Increases the risk of water scarcity, depletion of reservoir
and groundwater levels.
(iii)
Adversely affects food grain and horticultural
production.
(iv)
Increases the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
(v)
Reduces agricultural output, affecting GDP growth.
(vi)
Higher risk of forest fires.
(vii)
Increased frequency of droughts.
(viii)
Greater incidence of heat-related illnesses.
(ix) Reduced hydropower generation due to lower reservoir levels.
Source: THE HINDU