Experts have issued a warning for Latin American nations to remain vigilant as the weather phenomenon known as El Nino rapidly transitions into La Nina, offering limited time for populations and crops to recuperate. The shift from El Nino’s abundant rains to the potential droughts associated with La Nina, along with an anticipated intense hurricane season across South America, calls for heightened preparedness, as discussed at a panel organized by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The complete weather pattern involving El Nino, La Nina, and a neutral phase typically spans between two to seven years. However, experts have observed that the transition period from El Nino to La Nina is becoming shorter, with signs of the shift emerging within a relatively brief timeframe.
Yolanda Gonzalez, director of the International Research Center for the El Nino Phenomenon, highlighted the rapid transition, emphasizing the challenges in recovering from the impact of these weather patterns.
In South America, these weather patterns can significantly impact key crops such as wheat and corn, thereby affecting commodity-dependent economies. While the phenomenon itself is not directly caused by climate change, experts have noted that the effects of the weather pattern, including rainfall, heat waves, and drought, have become more extreme.
The FAO’s technical team informed Reuters that the rapid transitions between El Nino and La Nina could potentially be linked to climate change, although definitive causation has yet to be established. Marion Khamis, FAO’s regional risk management specialist, emphasized the significant challenge posed by these abrupt changes and the overlapping nature of these cycles, which ultimately diminishes the ability to adapt to the evolving conditions.