The Ministry of Emergency Affairs and Disaster Management participated in an international briefing organized by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, to enhance the early warning system and prepare for climate risks. This briefing was held via video conferencing with the participation of several UN agencies and representatives of various countries.
El Niño Forecasts and Impacts
The briefing covered the latest forecasts regarding the El Niño phenomenon during 2026 and 2027, indicating the likelihood of its climate impacts continuing until February 2027. The Ministry predicted that the peak of this phenomenon would occur in December of the coming year, which could lead to increased risks of drought, floods, heatwaves, and forest fires in different parts of the world.
The Ministry pointed out that the repercussions of this phenomenon extend to food security, water resources, and basic services. Experiences of several countries in converting climate forecasts into proactive measures were presented, through defining risk levels, enhancing coordination between institutions, and activating preparedness plans before disasters occur.
Developing the Early Warning System
For his part, Ministry representatives confirmed that work is ongoing with the National Center for Meteorology to utilize these data in developing Syria's multi-hazard early warning system. This is done by following seasonal forecasts, analyzing risks at the national level, and linking warnings to potential impacts on the population and vital sectors.
The El Niño phenomenon, also known as the Southern Oscillation, occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean rise abnormally. This results in a decrease in the amount of cold water rising from the depths of the ocean to the surface near South America, leading to the convergence and accumulation of warm water to the east and rising atmospheric temperatures above it.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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