Reduced rainfall is also expected to put pressure on hydroelectric power plants.
(Photo: dpa)
Bangkok, Dusseldorf A huge problem is brewing in the Pacific for Asia’s emerging countries: the surface water in the tropical part of the ocean is too warm. Weather researchers see this as a clear sign of a climate phenomenon that threatens to put a noticeable damper on the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The phenomenon is called El Niño and raises fears of billions in damage from drought, extreme heat and energy shortages in the Asia-Pacific region.
The US oceanography and weather agency NOAA recently confirmed that, from their point of view, the expected El Niño phase has now begun. The name “El Niño” means “the Christ Child” in Spanish and was coined by Peruvian fishermen who noticed that the water was too warm every few years at Christmas time. El Niño could also peak at Christmas this year.
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