Not Only Indonesia, These Are the Countries Most Affected by El Nino
YOGYAKARTA - The phenomenon of global climate change is now back in the spotlight. Curious about the countries most affected by El Nino? This article will discuss which countries are on the top list this year.
The impact of El Nino is not just hot weather, but long drought, crop failure, and food crises are a real threat in a number of regions. Here is the complete review for you.
What is El Nino and Why It Has Global ImpactEl Nino occurs when the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific warms than usual. This heating disrupts global wind and jet stream currents. As a result, the rain pattern on many continents also shifts drastically.
According to the DTN Ag Weather Forum, the impact will spread to five regions of the world at once, not just countries around the Pacific. It is this shift in the jet stream that makes the effect felt on continents far from the ocean.
Southeast Asia and South Asia Most Vulnerable to DroughtIndonesia is on the main list because its monsoon rainfall pattern is highly dependent on the Pacific Ocean currents. When El Nino strengthens, the water temperature in the western Pacific becomes colder so that hurricane activity decreases and rainfall in this area decreases significantly. Drought also threatens agriculture and the availability of clean water.
BMKG even noted that the peak of drought in August 2026 will cover almost half of Indonesia's land area, including Java, Bali, to West Nusa Tenggara. This is not a normal drought, and the food sector is asked to adapt immediately.
Read also: How does climate affect social and cultural diversity in Indonesia? These are the aspects affected by climate
Indonesia's neighbors are also not immune from similar threats. The Philippines and Thailand have recorded a spike in food inflation due to disruptions in rice production. Rice is indeed the most vulnerable commodity when the monsoon rains fail to come on time.
Australia Faces a Drier WinterThe Australian continent feels a different but equally worrying effect. Waters in northern and eastern Australia become colder when El Nino is active, so that air humidity decreases and high air pressure dominates the region. This condition triggers severe drought during winter and semi.
In addition, the agricultural sector and water supply in Australia are the main victims. The risk of frost or frost also increases in some areas. Wheat farmers must adjust their planting strategies.
South Africa and South America are affected in opposite ways.Southern Africa has experienced one of the worst crises in recent times. Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi even had to declare a national state of disaster due to extreme drought. The supply of electricity from hydropower is also severely disrupted.
Interestingly, South America actually experiences the opposite pattern. Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay usually receive higher rainfall during the summer in the southern hemisphere. Unfortunately, this brings the risk of flooding and new extreme weather.
Then central Brazil and the Amazon region experienced the opposite pattern again. The rainy season there tends to decrease drastically. The risk of forest fires also increases sharply when the dry season arrives.
Economic Impact That Can't Be IgnoredThe global economic losses due to El Nino are not a small number. The agriculture, energy, and tourism sectors in various countries are also hit every time this phenomenon strengthens. Food inflation is usually the fastest impact felt by the community.
BMKG predicts that this year's El Nino will last until early 2027 with moderate to strong intensity. This means that the impact will still be felt for quite some time. Early vigilance is clearly an important key.
Understanding the countries most affected by El Nino helps you see the scale of this problem more broadly. To continue to get the latest updates on global climate issues and their impact on Indonesia, don't miss the latest review only at VOI.