Why in News?
Ecuador declared a nationwide red alert as the El Niño climate phenomenon intensified, prompting emergency preparedness and evacuation measures.
Key Details
- El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), when unusually warm surface waters develop in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.
- It is associated with a weakening of trade winds and can disrupt rainfall, temperatures, fisheries and weather patterns far beyond the Pacific.
- Ecuador reported risks including drought, wildfires and stress in the Amazon region.
- Other countries in the region, including Panama, Honduras, El Salvador and Peru, also announced emergency measures.
Exam Connect
- El Niño → warm phase of ENSO
- Ecuador → South America → capital Quito