EL NINO

General Studies Paper 1

Context: Many climate models have forecasted an El Nino in May 2023.

• A record three-year La Nina event ended in March 2023 and currently, the equatorial Pacific Ocean is at normal temperatures, known as the neutral phase.

What do the Climate Models Say About Upcoming El Nino?

• Impact on India:
  • Weak Monsoon for India:The development of an El Nino in May or June 2023 may cause weakening of the southwest monsoon season,  which brings around 70% of the total rainfall India receives and on which most of its farmers still depend.
    • However,sub-seasonal factors such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and monsoon low-pressure systems can temporarily enhance rainfall in some parts as witnessed in the year 2015.
  • Hot Temperatures:It may also cause heatwaves and droughts  in India and other regions around the world such as South Africa, Australia, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands.
• Heavier Rainfall in the West: It brings heavy rainfall and flooding to other regions such as California in the United States and could cause bleaching and death of coral reefs.
• Rising Global Average Temp:The El Nino in 2023 and going into 2024 may push the global average temperature towards 1.5°C warmer than the preindustrial average.
  • The warming of the oceans is also one of the major impacts of an El Nino event.
    • This is when ocean heat content is already at a record high, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
  • Previous Such Occurrences – Impacts:
    • In the 2015-2016, there were widespread heatwaves in India that killed around 2,500 people in each of the years.
      • Coral reefs around the world also suffered from bleaching and the sea level rose by 7 millimetres due to thermal expansion.
    • The El Nino, along with global warming, had made 2016 the warmest year on record.
    • El Nino events of 1982-83 and 1997-98were the most intense of the 20th century.
      • During the 1982-83 event,sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific were 9-18°C above normal.

How does ENSO Affect India?

• The influence of ENSO on India’s climate is most pronounced during the monsoon season. During an El Niño event, India experiences below-average rainfall.
  • The El Niño also leads to a rise in temperatures, exacerbating heat waves and causing heat-related health issues.
• On the other hand, during a La Niña event, India experiences above-average rainfall.
  • This can lead to flooding and landslides, damaging crops and infrastructure. However, La Niña also brings cooler temperatures, which can provide relief from heat waves.