El Niño is a natural climate pattern that warms sea‑surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. This warming reshapes global wind, pressure and rainfall patterns, influencing weather thousands of kilometres away.

The United Nations climate agency warns that such a powerful El Niño raises the risk of extreme weather, including flooding in Brazil, severe drought in Indonesia and Australia, and record‑breaking heat in many regions.

WMO chief Celeste Saulo told reporters there is an “exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100 per cent” that the event will continue through February, and she warned it could deliver a massive blow to communities and economies, especially the agriculture, health, energy and water sectors.