‘Godzilla El Niño’ threat raises alarm across Southeast Asia
A potential “Godzilla El Niño” cycle could hit Southeast Asia later this year, raising fears of prolonged heatwaves, drought, haze and wider climate disruptions across the region as global temperatures continue to climb.
Experts and meteorological agencies have warned that rapidly warming sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific may signal the onset of a stronger El Niño event in 2026, with concerns that it could evolve into a so-called “super El Niño”.
Speaking at the Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources earlier this month, Singapore Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu warned that hotter and drier conditions could fuel more severe forest fires and transboundary haze across Southeast Asia.
“A warmer-than-usual dry season is also expected in the coming months,” Fu said, citing forecasts from meteorological agencies and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
El Niño, which occurs every two to seven years, is a climate pattern associated with warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures that can trigger droughts, crop damage and extreme weather globally.
Several Southeast Asian countries are already experiencing unusually intense heat.
In Vietnam, local reports said beaches in Da Nang have seen fewer daytime visitors as soaring temperatures discourage outdoor activities. Similar conditions have been reported across Thailand and Malaysia, where extreme midday heat has disrupted tourism and daily routines.
The heatwave extends beyond Southeast Asia. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have recorded temperatures nearing or exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, while parts of Europe are grappling with an unusually early heatwave driven by a “heat dome”.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
