A report from the Climate Impact Lab has warned that the El Nino heat phenomenon is expected to lead to approximately 15,800 deaths in India by the end of February 2027. The report indicates that the most severe impacts will be felt in regions that are already hot and economically disadvantaged. Additionally, it estimates that up to 451,000 deaths globally could be attributed to El Nino between June 2026 and February 2027, compared to typical annual heat-related fatalities.
El Nino, which occurs every two to seven years, is characterized by significant temperature increases in the Pacific Ocean. The report highlights that this year's El Nino is particularly intense, with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reporting temperature rises exceeding 3 degrees Celsius in the eastern and central Pacific.
Abhiyant Tiwari, a heat expert at NRDC India, emphasized that the report's findings should prompt action rather than alarm. He noted that while India has plans in place to address heat-related issues, the effectiveness of these plans in reducing preventable deaths remains a challenge.
In related news, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December 2026, coinciding with the G20 meeting in the United States. Carney mentioned that progress is being made in trade negotiations between Canada and India, which have been strained in recent years due to disagreements over issues such as Sikh separatism. Modi's last visit to Canada was for the G7 summit in June 2025.
The report also mentioned ongoing concerns regarding electoral roll revisions in India, which have led to the removal of 130 million voter names. Furthermore, India's foreign minister is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing on advocacy for the Global South.