Geneva: The El Nino phenomenon, which sparks climate extremes around the globe, is likely to take hold in the Pacific Ocean by the end of the year and could even do so within weeks, the UN said.
There was an 80 per cent likelihood that El Nino could start between October and November and 60 per cent that it would do so between now and end of August, said the UN’s weather agency, the World Meteorological Organisation. The El Nino — or warming of the Pacific Ocean occurs every two to seven years, when the prevailing trade winds that circulate over surface waters in the tropical Pacific start to weaken.
The phenomenon, which occurred between June 2009 and May 2010, can play havoc for farmers and global agricultural markets. It leaves countries like India, Indonesia and Australia drier, increasing chances of wildfires and lower crop production, while leading to heavier rainfall in the eastern Pacific and South American nations.
India’s monsoon arrived five days late and the country has already recorded a 45 per cent deficit so far in June, raising the prospect of lower agricultural output and costlier food prices.
