BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – The likelihood of El Niño developing later this year is increasing, according to a new update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
This would have the opposite impact on weather and climate patterns in many regions of the world to the long-running La Niña and would likely fuel higher global temperatures.
Minister of Economic Planning Dr Tambo Gina has advised institutions, Government and the nation at large to prepare for El Niño while it was early.
“Close scrutiny will show that most crisis are opportunities to either advance or stay where you are. With this I’m saying let us work now while we can, to avoid running like headless chickens when El Niño is here,” said Gina.
The minister was speaking on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku yesterday, during the El Niño Indaba Impact strategic response planning workshop that took place at Royal Villas Hotel in Ezulwini.
Worth noting is that, the unusually stubborn La Niña has now ended after a three-year run and the tropical Pacific is currently in an ENSO-neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña).
Gina further said there is a 60 per cent chance for a transition from ENSO-neutral to El Niño during May-July 2023, and this will increase to about 70 per cent in June-August and 80 per cent between July and September.
“Eswatini should prepare for the development of El Niño, which is often associated with increased heat, drought or rainfall in different parts of the world. It might bring respite from the drought in the Horn of Africa and other La Niña- related impacts but could also trigger more extreme weather and climate events.
This highlights the need for early Warnings and planning for all initiatives to keep people safe,” said Gina. Worth mentioning is that no two El Niño events are the same and the effects depend partly on the time of year. WMO and National Meteorological Hydrological Services will therefore be closely monitoring developments.
