ISRO Satellite Observes Strengthening El Niño in 2026
• ISRO's EOS-06 satellite has detected significant changes in the Pacific Ocean linked to the strengthening El Niño phenomenon in
• Observations from the Ocean Colour Monitor-3 (OCM-3) and Scatterometer (SCAT-3) instruments show a marked reduction in surface chlorophyll-a levels and a shift in ocean-surface winds from easterlies to westerlies. These changes indicate weakened equatorial upwelling, which reduces nutrient availability for phytoplankton, leading to lower biological productivity. Concurrently, NOAA reports sea-surface temperature anomalies exceeding 3°C in the eastern equatorial Pacific, with subsurface anomalies surpassing 10°C in some areas. Enhanced rainfall and convection over the central and eastern Pacific further confirm the strengthening El Niño conditions.
Impact & Risks
The strengthening El Niño could have significant implications for India, as it is historically associated with below-normal monsoon rainfall and warmer conditions in certain regions. However, the relationship is not deterministic, and other atmospheric and oceanic factors may influence the outcome. Globally, the event may lead to extreme weather patterns, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, depending on regional sensitivities. NOAA estimates a 75% chance of a historic El Niño event during October-December 2026, which could surpass previous records since 1950.
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