Record-breaking El Niño triggers emergency declarations in California and global drought warnings
A historic El Niño event, forecast to be the strongest since records began in the 1870s, is prompting immediate emergency responses. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on September 21 to mobilize resources against anticipated winter storms, flooding, and coastal erosion. Meanwhile, global experts warn of severe droughts in southern Africa and Indonesia, with sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific already 2.9°C above baseline.