India has provided humanitarian aid to Malawi, sending 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to help alleviate the effects of a severe drought that has ravaged the Southeast African nation. The drought, exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon, has caused widespread crop damage and food shortages, prompting Malawi to declare a state of disaster in March.
A severe drought in Southern Africa, exacerbated by El Niño, has driven families to desperate measures, including marrying off their daughters in exchange for food. This practice is leaving young women vulnerable to exploitation and violence, highlighting the need for urgent action to protect them.
Global temperatures have broken records for two consecutive days in July, reaching 17.16°C, driven by the recent El Niño phase and unusually high temperatures in Antarctica. While parts of Europe experienced cooler weather, this record-breaking heat emphasizes the urgent need to address climate change and prevent further temperature increases.
India’s hydropower generation is facing a significant setback due to the delayed monsoon and low reservoir levels, potentially impacting power supply during the peak demand season. The situation is exacerbated by El Nino’s influence, causing patchy rainfall and a prolonged dry spell, resulting in lower water storage in key reservoirs.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has predicted that the El Niño event, which has caused record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather globally, will transition to La Niña conditions later this year. This shift is expected to bring relief from the extreme heat experienced in many parts of the world, particularly in South Asia.
India is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius. This extreme heat, which is expected to continue, has been linked to climate change, El Niño, and high-pressure systems. To mitigate its impact, India has implemented a heatwave action plan and experts suggest redefining the criteria for declaring a heatwave, factoring in humidity and tailoring it to local conditions.
El Niño, which has caused water scarcity in parts of Asia, is expected to transition to neutral next month and possibly to La Niña by mid-year. La Niña often brings above-normal rainfall, potentially leading to flooding during the June-September monsoon season in India. The India Meteorological Department anticipates above-average rainfall during the latter half of the monsoon season, and the World Meteorological Organization had earlier indicated that El Niño could cause drought conditions until May.
Cyclone Hidaya is poised to strike Kenya and Tanzania, exacerbating the devastation caused by torrential rains in East Africa. Both nations have suffered tragic losses in the weeks leading up to the storm, with Kenya’s flooding claiming over 188 lives and displacing 165,000 people, while in Tanzania, floods and landslides have taken at least 155 lives. Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, awaits intense rainfall, strong winds, and ocean swells, while the Maasai Mara tourism industry has suffered with over 100 tourists stranded. Internationally, travel alerts have been issued by the US and UK. Global leaders have offered condolences and support amid the unfolding tragedy, which has been intensified by the El Niño phenomenon’s disruptions to global weather patterns.
India’s Kerala state has closed all schools and colleges until Monday due to scorching temperatures. With most of India experiencing high heat, the weather department forecasts an unusually high number of heatwave days from April to June. Heatwave conditions are caused by a combination of fewer thunderstorms and an anti-cyclonic circulation near India’s southeastern coast. Authorities urge people to limit sun exposure and take precautions to prevent wildfires. While local media reports suggest heat-related deaths, official confirmation is pending.
A supply crunch of robusta coffee beans in Vietnam, the world’s leading producer, has driven up prices by 50% in London this year. Weaker harvests due to El Niño-induced drought have led to a shortage of beans, which is impacting exporters and pushing up costs for consumers. Some experts predict prices could reach $5.89 per kilogram, translating to higher coffee shop prices. As Vietnam struggles to meet demand, coffee companies are forced to source beans from other countries to maintain supply.
