The United Nations warned on Thursday that the El Niño phenomenon should be "very strong" in the coming months and is almost certain to last until February. The UN climate agency reported that this natural climate phenomenon increases surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, potentially triggering changes in wind patterns, pressure, and rain worldwide.
In Latin America, several countries have already taken emergency measures. Panama and El Salvador declared a state of emergency to deal with the effects of El Niño, which has already forced a significant reduction in maritime traffic through the Panama Canal. Ecuador, for its part, issued a red alert due to the significant intensification of the phenomenon.
The United Nations also previously acknowledged that the world should surpass the 1.5°C limit in global warming, and proposed a new plan to address this situation. The warning about the strength of El Niño comes in the context of these broader concerns about global climate change.
