Asian countries are intensifying preparations for what is expected to be the most severe El Niño event on record, with forecasts indicating widespread impacts on weather, agriculture, and food security across the region. This phenomenon, driven by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific and exacerbated by climate change, is predicted to gain strength through late 2023 and into 2027.
The World Food Programme has cautioned that approximately 50 million people worldwide may face acute hunger due to the extreme weather conditions linked to El Niño. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the event as “being supersized before our eyes,” underscoring its potential severity.
Hong Kong has already implemented revised workplace policies after experiencing its hottest day on record on August 9. Employers are now required to offer cooling measures, rest breaks, and may face legal consequences if they fail to protect workers during periods of intense heat. Mainland China has launched a 100-day campaign to shield harvests from drought and flooding, while also enhancing early-warning systems and encouraging cities to develop climate risk maps to identify vulnerable areas.
Taiwan is treating the anticipated extreme weather as an emergency akin to a natural disaster or terrorist attack. In early September, it conducted a large-scale simulation exercise over three days to test responses to temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius alongside power outages, water shortages, and mass heat-related illnesses.
El Niño’s effects are already apparent across South Asia. Northern India has seen nearly a 50% deficit in monsoon rainfall this month, threatening staple crops such as rice, pulses, cotton, and maize, and raising concerns about reduced harvests and rising food prices. In response, the Indian government has activated measures in over 350 districts to protect farmers, including strengthening water conservation and encouraging cultivation of drought-resistant crops.
Sri Lanka is facing its worst drought in a decade, with high temperatures and rainfall shortages severely impacting water supplies. Over 160,000 people are affected by a drinking water shortage as key reservoirs dry up. Tourism operations in Yala National Park have been suspended, and authorities are supplying water to wildlife habitats. Government officials warn of a potential freshwater crisis that may require reliance on desalination, a currently limited resource.
In Southeast Asia, El Niño’s impact is compounded by other challenges, including inflated fertilizer costs linked to global supply disruptions, and severe haze from wildfires in Malaysia and Indonesia. While governments have adjusted agricultural practices such as planting calendars and water management, experts warn these efforts may be insufficient. Rice yields in the region are expected to decline by 8-10%, with countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia particularly vulnerable to food price fluctuations, which disproportionately affect lower-income households.
Climate and food security experts highlight the importance of viewing food security as a national security issue, especially given the critical role of rice in social stability. Efforts in the region are moving toward regenerative agriculture and biofertilizer use as part of long-term adaptation strategies.
South Korea’s weather patterns have also been volatile. The country experienced its driest July on record, followed by unprecedented heavy rains that damaged crops. In response, South Korea’s meteorological agency has revised its heatwave alert system to include a new highest alert tier, which mandates suspension of outdoor work when temperatures reach 38 degrees Celsius. Officials are preparing for a challenging autumn season with warm seas around the Korean peninsula likely to fuel more powerful storms.
Japan is similarly preparing for intensified typhoons expected in the wake of El Niño and climate change. The country experienced its first officially recognized day with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius this summer—a designation known as kokushobi. As typhoon season approaches, authorities have identified high-risk infrastructure vulnerable to flooding and are advising residents to heed evacuation orders and maintain emergency supplies.
Across Asia, governments continue to monitor the evolving El Niño conditions closely while implementing a range of measures aimed at mitigating the broad and intensifying risks posed by the event.