El Niño Is Back: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru Among Cities That Could See Less Rain

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has confirmed a strong El Niño event is rapidly developing, with forecasts indicating it will reshape global rainfall patterns between June and August 2026. El Niño, the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), involves warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, altering atmospheric circulation and wind patterns. The WMO’s Niño 3.4 index is expected to reach around 1.8°C, classifying this as a strong El Niño event. In India, the WMO and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) project below-normal monsoon rainfall, with totals around 90% of the long-period average. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad may receive less rainfall than usual, though northeastern India could be less affected. El Niño is often linked to weaker monsoon performance in the region. Beyond India, parts of the Greater Horn of Africa—including Addis Ababa—and the Gulf of Guinea, such as Accra and Lagos, are expected to face drier-than-normal conditions. Northeastern Brazil, including Recife and Fortaleza, may also experience reduced precipitation, while much of Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, could see a drier season. Conversely, El Niño may increase rainfall in select Pacific regions, with Ecuador’s typically dry coastline among the few land areas likely to receive above-normal precipitation. The phenomenon’s global impact could affect agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods in multiple regions. The WMO’s outlook highlights the need for preparedness, as El Niño’s influence extends beyond rainfall, often contributing to rising global temperatures and extreme weather events.