Powerful El Nino could cause more than 450,000 deaths, scientists say

Heaviest toll expected in poorer countries, already struggling with food insecurity and high energy costs, report says.Published On 23 Sep 202623 Sep 2026More than 450,000 people are projected to die from additional heat due to the unusually strong El Nino event over the next six months, according to a research report.The projection, published on Wednesday by the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab, runs to February 2027 and compares estimates of heat-related deaths that could be attributed to El Nino with the level expected in a typical year.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3El Nino: A phenomenon supercharged by climate changelist 2 of 3US records hottest summer in 132 yearslist 3 of 3El Nino reaches super status: Where will it bring rain, drought and heat?end of listResearchers estimate that global land temperatures could climb by about 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.1 degrees Fahrenheit), with extremely hot days 44 percent more frequent than in an average year.Developing nations and Africa’s Sahel region are expected to be hit disproportionately hard.The report projected about 66,800 additional deaths across the Sahel, with Nigeria having the highest projected toll of...