The most powerful El Niño in 35 years has been declared officially over by the UN and major meteorologists. However, its effects will continue to be seen for many months and could result in almost 100m people experiencing food shortages, millions of farmers losing income and cities witnessing rising prices. It is estimated that 50m people in southern Africa may need help from the UN’s World Food programme as a result of the phenomenon. Nearly 250,000 hectares (617,763 acres) of unique flooded forest around the ecologically vital Tonle Sap lake have been devastated by fire since January. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s A reverse “La Niña” phenomenon in which temperatures become lower than usual may also occur causing floods and heavy rain in a number of countries.
The most powerful El Niño in 35 years has been declared officially over by the UN and major meteorologists. However, its effects will continue to be seen for many months and could result in almost 100m people experiencing food shortages, millions of farmers losing income and cities witnessing rising prices. It is estimated that 50m people in southern Africa may need help from the UN’s World Food programme as a result of the phenomenon. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s A reverse “La Niña” phenomenon in which temperatures become lower than usual may also occur causing floods and heavy rain in a number of countries.