Super El Nino warning as 451,000 deaths forecast by worried scientists

Super El Nino warning as 451,000 deaths forecast by worried scientists Meteorologists announced the return of the phenomenon earlier this summer, warning that El Nino could contribute to record global temperatures and the hottest year on record A Super El Nino system wreaking havoc on the world's weather could kill almost half a million people, a harrowing new report predicts. The phenomenon, which takes shape over the Pacific Ocean and pushes temperatures to extreme, is fuelled by the effects of human-powered climate change and has a brutal knock-on effect on all continents. Scientists from the University of Chicago have sparked alarm as they urged people to prepare for the potential devastating impact in the years ahead. According to the experts, death tolls could soar by the start of 2027 as they fear 239,000 lives could be lost in the next six months alone. Overall, they calculate 451,000 will die in total after the a report was pulbished using climate models to predict the impact the devastating event could have on the world. The eye-opening study forecasts that the countries projected to see the largest number of excess heat-related deaths include Nigeria and Indonesia. There will be more than 10,000 lives lost in Sudan, India, Brazil and Democratic Republic of the Congo, it has been claimed. According to the researchers, nations in the "global south" will see the most heat-related deaths over the next six months. The researchers warn: "The anomalously warm temperatures that most of the globe will see during this El Niño event are a 'postcard from the future' while they feel anomalous now, they will become normal just a few decades into the future. "Mortality projections for the near term provide a signal of where we are headed if new adaptation investments do not materialise. The difference with climate change is that there is more time to undertake adaptations to save lives." Stressing the need for urgent action in areas flagged as high risk for for deaths, the scientists fear deaths could rise in the northern hemisphere going into 2027. They added: "We need to build the evidence base now for what works, and then invest in preparations and planning. "Preparing for a hotter future will require a far more granular, continually updated understanding of what saves lives across different regions, climates, and health systems." The brewing El Nino is expected to last well into 2027 as experts fear it will be so strong it could devastate communities and economies. Experts at the World Meteorological Organisation said in an update earlier this month that El Nino is expected to peak towards the end of this year, with climate impacts will continue well into 2027. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned: "It has the potential to deliver a massive blow to communities and economies across the world. This exceptional El Nino demands exceptional preparation and response. "We are already seeing disruption and devastation from droughts and floods, and we expect these impacts to increase as El Nino intensifies." Expected heat death toll - Nigeria: 31,400 - Indonesia: 19,300 - Sudan: 17,500 - India: 15,800 - Brazil: 13,300 - DRC: 10,000 - Niger: 10,000 - Chad: 7,900 - Philippines: 6,500 - South Sudan: 5,600 - Vietnam: 5,600 - Mali: 5,200 - Thailand:5,000 - Burkina Faso: 4,700 - Ethiopia: 4,500 - Uganda: 3,800 - Pakistan: 3,600 - Ghana: 3,600 - United States: 3,500 - Cameroon: 3,300