Environment News

El Niño Emergency - Ecuador

September 2 , 2026 9 hrs 0 min 24 0

Ecuador declared a red alert across the country due to the ongoing El Niño climate phenomenon, which officials warn could become the strongest on record.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon in which surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean rise, causing changes in winds, atmospheric pressure and rainfall.
The phenomenon is causing severe drought in Central America and worsening wildfires in Indonesia.
Scientists expect the current El Niño to peak by the end of 2026 and potentially contribute to record global heat in 2027.
Ecuador is preparing for droughts and wildfires in its Amazon region, while El Niño can also disrupt fishing and bird migration.
Panama, Honduras, El Salvador and Peru have also declared emergencies related to El Niño.