Amidst climate change and rising global temperatures, the sound of a very destructive natural crisis is being heard in front of the entire world including India. More than 180 leading environmentalists, meteorologists and ecologists of the country have issued a joint appeal warning that an unprecedented and extremely powerful 'Super El Niño' is going to hit during the year 2026 and 2027. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and global climate models, the unusual increase in surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean could break records of the last 1,000 years. Scientists say that if timely monitoring and protective measures are not taken, India may face severe heatwave, severe water crisis, drought and ecological destruction. Temperature increased by 4 degrees in the Pacific Ocean, the effect is expected to last till February 2027. El Nino is basically a natural seasonal cycle, in which the sea surface temperature of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean becomes much warmer than normal. According to scientists, this time the situation is many times more dire than a normal El Nino. The temperature in the Pacific region has reached 2.6 degrees Celsius above normal and the sea surface temperature anomaly is expected to exceed 4 degrees Celsius in the coming months. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimates that this Super El Nino will become more intense in the coming months and remain active until at least February 2027. When the sea surface warms so much, it disrupts the global atmospheric circulation (Walker Circulation), causing devastating floods in some parts of the world and disrupting the rain cycle in monsoon-dependent countries like India. Indian agriculture, water resources and rural economy are facing a crisis. This warning is very serious for India because the country's monsoon is already under pressure of less rainfall. Scientists have underlined that whenever a strong El Nino is formed in the Pacific region, the monsoon in India becomes weak and there is prolonged drought. Double blow to Kharif and Rabi crops: Ground water level will drop rapidly due to extreme heat and severe lack of rain from November 2026 to summer 2027. Due to this, there can be a huge decline in the production of paddy, wheat, pulses and oilseeds. Fodder crisis and problems of cattle herders: In case of drought, pastures will start drying up, which will directly affect the livelihood of shepherds and cattle herders in hilly and rural areas. Risk of food inflation: Due to decrease in agricultural production, there will be a danger of food crisis in the country and huge rise in the prices of essential food items. In this appeal of scientists regarding massive forest fires and irreparable damage to biodiversity, the biggest concern has been expressed about India's forests and wildlife. Due to prolonged drought and extreme heat, the risk of severe wildfires in the forests of Western Ghats, Central India and Himalayan Terai will increase manifold. Excessive drying of forests can lead to mass death of giant rainforest trees. Additionally, this unexpected change in weather can cause serious changes in the reproductive cycles, food availability and behavior of wild animals. Many trees and plants will face the problem of untimely or late fruit production (Phenological shifts), which will affect the entire food chain. Marine heatwave and destruction of coral reefs in the ocean The havoc of Super El-Nino will not be limited only to the land areas, but will also wreak havoc in the marine areas around India. Due to increase in sea temperature, 'marine heat waves' may occur in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. This will result in large-scale bleaching and destruction of rare coral reefs located in Andaman-Nicobar, Lakshadweep and the Gulf of Mannar. Deterioration of the marine ecosystem will cause fish to migrate to the deep sea in search of cooler waters, which will directly threaten the livelihood of India's coastal fishermen. Scientists' emergency advice: Make preparations first, not after the damage. Scientists and researchers of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have made it clear that this time India will have to focus on 'anticipatory action' instead of distributing relief after the disaster. Scientists have appealed to the central and state governments to prepare a strategy for water management of reservoirs, encourage farmers to sow less water-intensive crops and take steps like creating fire-lines in forests. Also, there is a need to create a common network of various research institutions in the country to monitor every sensitive ecosystem of India round the clock, so that people, property and environment can be protected from this possible 'climate cataclysm' of 2026-27.
