United Nations warns of intense El Niño impact as heatwaves grip Europe
The United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization have warned that the El Niño climate phenomenon is developing rapidly, reaching the third of four intensity levels between July and September 2026. This phenomenon, which typically lasts nine to twelve months, is expected to increase extreme weather events such as droughts and heavy rainfall globally. Simultaneously, Europe is facing a severe heatwave, with France reporting an 85% increase in deaths among individuals aged 75 and over during the week of June 22–28, totaling 513 deaths compared to 278 the previous week. French authorities also reported over 90 drowning deaths since June 19, attributed to people seeking relief in water bodies. Portugal has declared a state of alert through Monday due to extreme forest fire risks, with temperatures reaching 42°C. Furthermore, global sea surface temperatures have hit record highs, surpassing those observed in 2023 and 2024. Copernicus climate data indicates ocean temperatures reached 21°C on June 21, adding to concerns about unprecedented global warming.