‘Supersized El Niño’: India, China, other Asian countries are preparing for extreme heat, heavy rain, food shortage

India and other Asian countries are stepping up preparations for what is expected to be an exceptionally severe El Niño, with governments bracing for a combination of extreme heat, heavy rainfall and food shortages.

Fueled by exceptionally warm tropical Pacific waters and developing alongside human-driven climate change, El Niño is expected to reach very strong intensity towards the end of this year and into 2027, as mentioned in a report in The Guardian. The World Food Programme has warned that about 50 million people could be pushed into acute hunger, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said the phenomenon is “being supersized before our eyes”.

India, Sri Lanka focus on water and food security

In India, parts of the country have recorded a monsoon rainfall shortfall of almost 50% in September, affecting crops including rice, pulses, cotton and maize, it said. Concerns are growing over a diminished harvest and higher food prices.

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The government has adopted what Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described as a “protective shield for farmers”. Authorities in more than 350 vulnerable districts are strengthening water conservation and harvesting infrastructure and encouraging farmers to plant low-water, short-duration crops such as pulses and millets.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst drought in a decade, with more than 160,000 people facing drinking-water shortages as reservoirs run dry. The disaster management authorities are preparing for a situation in which freshwater supplies could disappear, potentially forcing Colombo to process seawater.

China, Taiwan step up heat preparedness

China has launched a 100-day campaign to prepare for extreme weather and protect harvests from drought and intense rainfall, it said. Beijing plans to upgrade early-warning systems and has encouraged cities to create “climate risk maps” identifying areas vulnerable to flooding and severe heat.

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Taiwan held an exercise simulating three consecutive days above 40C, including scenarios involving power and water disruption, rail problems, air-conditioner failures and mass heatstroke. Its “Cool Map” platform directs vulnerable people to air-conditioned spaces.

Southeast Asia faces food pressures

Southeast Asian countries are already dealing with disrupted energy and supply chains, higher fertiliser costs and severe haze from seasonal fires. Regional rice yields are projected to fall by 8–10%.

Governments and farmer cooperatives are promoting regenerative agriculture and shifting towards biofertilisers.

Korea, Japan prepare for heat and storms

South Korea has overhauled its heatwave alert system, adding a top tier that triggers guidance to stop non-emergency outdoor work when feels-like temperatures reach 38C.

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Japan is preparing for potentially destructive typhoons as well as extreme heat. Authorities are urging people to follow evacuation warnings and stock food and water, while infrastructure officials have identified high-risk highway underpasses that could be closed pre-emptively during heavy rain.