Daily Current Affairs : 11-November-2023
The recent forecast by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warning of increased extreme weather events due to El Niño has prompted the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to launch a plan aimed at mitigating the impacts on vulnerable populations.
Formation of El Niño:
El Niño is a climate phenomenon resulting from the weakening of east-to-west trade winds in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This allows warm water from the western Pacific to flow back eastward, causing a rise in sea surface temperatures.
Impact on Global Regions:
- Oceanic and Atmospheric Effects: El Niño influences ocean temperatures, currents, coastal fisheries, and local weather patterns across regions from Australia to South America and beyond. Warmer ocean surface waters lead to increased rainfall.
- Regional Weather Patterns: South America faces heightened rainfall, contributing to floods, while Indonesia and Australia experience dry conditions, risking water-dependent agriculture.
- Asia-Pacific Dynamics: Weakened trade winds drive warm water towards Asia, elevating sea levels and temperatures in Indonesia compared to Ecuador.
- Environmental and Health Consequences: El Niño-induced natural disasters make regions susceptible to disease outbreaks, while dry conditions can lead to wildfires, causing respiratory difficulties.
- Positive Impact on Hurricane Frequency: El Niño can reduce the frequency of hurricanes in the Atlantic.
Impact on India:
- Weather and Climate Impact: El Niño significantly influences India’s weather, particularly during the monsoon season, leading to weaker monsoon rains and contributing to droughts.
- Agricultural Sector and Economic Consequences: El Niño directly affects India’s agricultural sector, reducing yields of crucial summer crops and impacting the economy.
- Water Resource Impact: El Niño exacerbates challenges related to drought and water scarcity in India, affecting water resources.
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO):
- Overview of ENSO: ENSO describes the periodic warming (El Niño) and cooling (La Niña) of the central and eastern tropical Pacific oceans.
- Southern Oscillation and Pressure Fluctuations: The Southern Oscillation, linked to El Niño, involves pressure reversals in the tropical South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
- Climate Patterns and Anomalies: The synergy of El Niño and the Southern Oscillation is collectively termed El Niño Southern Oscillations, encapsulating comprehensive climate patterns and anomalies associated with this phenomenon.
Important Points:
- Recent Forecast:
- WMO predicts El Niño may fuel extreme weather events: heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts.
- FAO Initiative:
- FAO launches plan to reduce El Niño’s impacts on agriculture and food security for vulnerable populations.
- Formation of El Niño:
- Complex interplay between oceanic and atmospheric forces.
- Weakening east-to-west trade winds in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
- Warm water from the western Pacific flows eastward, causing a rise in sea surface temperatures.
- Global Impact:
- Oceanic and Atmospheric Effects:
- Influences ocean temperatures, currents, coastal fisheries, and local weather patterns.
- Warmer ocean surface waters lead to increased rainfall.
- Regional Weather Patterns:
- South America experiences heightened rainfall, contributing to floods.
- Indonesia and Australia face dry conditions, risking water-dependent agriculture.
- Asia-Pacific Dynamics:
- Weakened trade winds drive warm water towards Asia, elevating sea levels and temperatures in Indonesia.
- Environmental and Health Consequences:
- Regions susceptible to disease outbreaks and wildfires causing respiratory difficulties.
- Positive Impact on Hurricane Frequency:
- El Niño can reduce the frequency of hurricanes in the Atlantic.
- Oceanic and Atmospheric Effects:
- Impact on India:
- Weather and Climate Impact:
- Significant influence on India’s monsoon season, leading to weaker rains and droughts.
- Agricultural Sector and Economic Consequences:
- Direct impact on crucial summer crops, contributing to high inflation and diminished GDP growth.
- Water Resource Impact:
- Devastating impact on water resources, exacerbating challenges related to drought and water scarcity.
- Climate Variability and Hazards:
- Induces changes in temperature, precipitation, and storm patterns, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.
- Weather and Climate Impact:
- El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO):
- Overview of ENSO:
- Describes periodic warming (El Niño) and cooling (La Niña) of the central and eastern tropical Pacific oceans.
- Southern Oscillation and Pressure Fluctuations:
- Involves pressure reversals in the tropical South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
- Climate Patterns and Anomalies:
- Synergy of El Niño and the Southern Oscillation collectively termed El Niño Southern Oscillations, encapsulating comprehensive climate patterns and anomalies.
- Overview of ENSO:
Why In News
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently forecast that El Nino may fuel more extreme weather events such as heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts, emphasizing the urgent need for global collaboration in implementing sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of these escalating climatic challenges.
MCQs about Decoding El Niño
-
Which region experiences heightened rainfall during El Niño, contributing to floods?
A. Australia
B. South America
C. Indonesia
D. Africa
-
How does El Niño impact India’s agricultural sector?
A. Enhances crop yields
B. Reduces yields of crucial summer crops
C. Accelerates GDP growth
D. Improves water availability
-
What is the synergy of El Niño and the Southern Oscillation collectively termed?
A. Tropical Interaction
B. Oceanic Fusion
C. El Niño Oscillation
D. El Niño Southern Oscillations
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