Intro (Micro Notes Format):
El Niño is the warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that disrupts global weather patterns. It is a major driver of abnormal climatic events worldwide.
Climatic Anomalies Attributed to El Niño:
- In India:
- Weak/Delayed Monsoons, droughts (e.g., 2002, 2009, 2015).
- Crop failures, food inflation.
- Global Impacts:
- Droughts in Australia, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa.
- Floods in South America (Peru, Ecuador).
- Suppression of Atlantic hurricanes due to upper-level wind shear.
- Unusual Weather:
- Warmer winters in North America,
- Coral bleaching due to ocean warming,
- Forest fires in Amazon and Australia.
Other Influences (Counterpoint):
- Not all anomalies are due to El Niño — other factors:
- La Niña, Indian Ocean Dipole, Arctic Oscillation, climate change.
Conclusion:
While El Niño explains many unusual climatic events, it’s not the sole cause; a combination of natural variability and anthropogenic factors also play key roles.
