The World Meteorological Organization says the current El Nino could be the strongest since 1950 and last until February 2027. Here is what you need to know.

What is El Nino? It is the warm phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation. Trade winds weaken, warming the central and eastern Pacific, which disrupts weather patterns worldwide.

How strong is this one? Sea-surface temperatures hit a record 3.7 degrees Celsius above normal for October to December, far above the previous record of 2.6 degrees. It is expected to peak in December.

What does it mean for India? El Nino years often bring weak monsoons and erratic winter rain. The 2026 monsoon already ended 12.6 per cent below normal, and reservoirs are at a decade low of 70 per cent capacity.

The human cost could be severe. University of Chicago researchers project up to 451,000 excess deaths from heat and related stresses between June 2026 and February 2027. Governments are being urged to prepare now.