Asian governments are intensifying preparations for what is anticipated to be the most severe El Niño weather event on record. The phenomenon, fuelled by exceptionally warm ocean conditions in the tropical Pacific and the human-driven climate crisis, is virtually guaranteed to reach a very strong intensity towards the end of this year and into 2027.
Hundreds of millions of people in the region are bracing for multiple simultaneous crises, including extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and food shortages. The World Food Programme has warned that around 50 million people could be pushed into acute hunger due to the exceptionally intense weather system.
In response, countries are taking various steps. Hong Kong has revised workplace policies following its hottest day on record on 9 August, requiring companies to reschedule work and provide cooling equipment and rest breaks during extreme heat. Mainland China has launched a 100-day campaign to prepare for extreme weather and protect harvests, alongside plans to upgrade early warning systems and encourage cities to develop 'climate risk maps'.
Taiwan is treating the predicted extreme weather as an emergency, conducting mass exercises simulating power and water disruption, rail problems, air conditioner failure, and mass heatstroke. Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst drought in a decade, with over 160,000 people facing drinking water shortages, and officials are preparing for potential freshwater supply issues.
In parts of India, September has seen a nearly 50% shortfall in monsoon rainfall, impacting key crops and raising concerns about diminished harvests and increased food prices. South-east Asian governments are promoting regenerative agriculture and shifting towards biofertilisers, though experts warn previous strategies may be insufficient for the scale of the current crisis, with regional rice yields projected to fall by 8 to 10%.