Pacific Ocean hottest in 76 years:‘Super El Niño’ drives global heat, could turn Earth red and cause 4.5 lakh deaths

The world is experiencing an exceptionally strong El Niño, with sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean reportedly 3.4°C above normal. Meteorologists have described it as the strongest El Niño since 1950, with some calling it a “super-duper El Niño.” The weather phenomenon could trigger extreme heat, drought and heavy rainfall in different parts of the world. Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab estimate that the current El Niño could result in around 4.51 lakh additional deaths globally between June 2026 and February 2027. Extreme heat could increase the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, while changes in rainfall patterns could cause water shortages in some regions and flooding in others. Most of the world appears red on climate map Meteorologist Ryan Maue recently shared a global climate map on social media showing large parts of the Earth in red, indicating temperatures above normal. Maue said El Niño could remain at “maximum strength” through the winter. His assessment is also in line with the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) forecast that the phenomenon could continue until February 2027. WMO warns of continued above-normal temperatures The WMO, the United Nations’ specialised agency for weather and climate, has warned that sea surface temperatures are highly likely to remain above normal across large parts of the world during the final months of 2026. Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather said the current El Niño was approaching levels that had not been recorded before. Weather expert Leon Simons described the phenomenon as a “super-duper El Niño.” What is El Niño? El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate cycle that influences weather patterns worldwide. During an El Niño event, sea temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal. The effects can extend far beyond the Pacific. Changes in ocean temperatures can alter rainfall and temperature patterns across different regions, causing drought-like conditions in some areas and unusually heavy rainfall in others. El Niño events typically occur at intervals of about two to seven years and can significantly influence global weather patterns.