UN Warns El Niño Could Return to Pakistan Region by Mid-2026

The United Nations has warned that a warming El Niño weather pattern is set to return by mid-2026, a development with significant implications for South Asia, including Pakistan, where the climate phenomenon has historically disrupted rainfall patterns, intensified droughts, and elevated flood risks in vulnerable regions.

The UN's World Meteorological Organisation issued the alert based on evolving sea surface temperature data across the Pacific Ocean, indicating that El Niño conditions could re-establish themselves as early as June or July of this year. The pattern follows a period of La Niña dominance that influenced above-average precipitation in parts of the region.

For Pakistan, the return of El Niño carries particular concern given the country's recent experience of catastrophic flooding and subsequent drought stress. Policymakers and disaster management authorities are expected to review preparedness frameworks in light of the forecast.

Climate scientists note that a warming El Niño layered on top of broader global temperature increases could produce more intense and less predictable weather events across the sub-continent. Calls for early warning system upgrades and pre-emptive agricultural planning have been renewed by climate adaptation experts.