The proclamation pointed to California\u2019s recent experience with atmospheric rivers and Newsom directed state agencies to move flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags, pumps and other critical equipment into position.<\/p>\n
Further south the Red Cross network has begun taking actions that aim to prevent or reduce the potential impacts of a disaster. <\/p>\n
It has allocated 1.2 million Swiss francs ($2.6m) to early action in response to drought in El Salvador and Guatemala \u2013 both in Latin America \u2013 and Colombia in South America.<\/p>\n
This money will be used to provide cash to the most vulnerable families, to supply drinking water, to support farming, and to provide training in adaptive agricultural practices, hygiene and the prevention of heat-related illness.<\/p>\n
Panama is in the unenviable position of dealing with both flooding and drought.<\/p>\n
The Panama City skyline. Photo \/ 123RF<\/p>\n
Because of low water levels in the lakes that feed some of the locks on the Panama Canal, restrictions have been placed on the number of ships that can pass through the artificial waterway.<\/p>\n
From September 15, the canal is only moving 32 ships a day \u2013 down from a normal capacity of 36 to 40 vessels.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in the north and west of the country, thousands have been impacted by flooding this year.<\/p>\n
Across the Atlantic in Africa, Kenya is also preparing for a wetter-than-normal wet season.<\/p>\n
This week the Kenyan Meteorological Service Authority issued a public service advisory that during the October to December rainy season, several parts of the country are expected to receive more rain than normal.<\/p>\n
Kenyans were urged to prepare for flooding, landslides and disruption of essential services.<\/p>\n
One-day ocean temperature anomalies \/ Earth Sciences New Zealand<\/p>\n
Further north in Sudan, the Arab News reports the Darfur region \u2013 already ravaged by decades of conflict \u2013 faces its driest rainy season in 40 years.<\/p>\n
The African Development Bank has warned that this year\u2019s El Ni\u00f1o could cost Africa US$20 billion ($36b) \u2013 or 1% to 2% of GDP in the worst-hit areas.<\/p>\n
The Guardian reported the UK Government is planning an El Ni\u00f1o-focused campaign to urge citizens to prepare for national emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re about to experience probably the largest El Ni\u00f1o that has ever been seen, and that will lead to drier summers, wetter winters, with more extreme storms in this country,\u201d Angela Eagle, the environment secretary, told the Guardian.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will do a lot more damage in Asia with flooding, and therefore I think that we need to take it seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ve got a store of a bit of food that can keep you going for a while before the emergency services can get to you, you\u2019re going to be a lot better off than if you haven\u2019t. So some of it is that kind of preparation for just being a bit more resilient.\u201d<\/p>\n
Multiple media outlets have reported that India is experiencing its driest monsoon season since 2009. Rainfall has been about 15% lower than normal and more than half of the country is under dry or drought conditions.<\/p>\n
In Australia, El Ni\u00f1o often brings hotter temperatures and increases the risk of drought and wildfires.<\/p>\n
But the Australian Bureau of Meteorology warned that every El Ni\u00f1o is different and that although the southern half of Australia has been hotter than normal, it is too early to know how 2026 will play out.<\/p>\n
In New Zealand, previous El Ni\u00f1o events have resulted in both more rain and more drought, with the associated increase in flooding and wildfire risk.<\/p>\n
The eastern and northern areas of both islands are normally drier than usual, while the western and lower South Island is wetter than usual.<\/p>\n
El Ni\u00f1o’s likely impacts in spring. Image \/ Earth Sciences New Zealand<\/p>\n
Auckland Emergency Management has created an \u201cEl Ni\u00f1o Info Hub\u201d.<\/p>\n
El Ni\u00f1o could bring hotter, drier and windier weather to Auckland.<\/p>\n
Potential risks include fire, heat, drought and severe weather.<\/p>\n
Residents are encouraged to make a plan now, including checking emergency supplies and being ready to leave in a hurry if required, and to consider how heat, drought, wildfire and strong winds could affect household, work and summer plans.<\/p>\n
Auckland Emergency Management also recommends planning for how to stay cool during hot weather and for water shortages.<\/p>\n
Earth Sciences New Zealand chief scientist Chris Brandolino previously told the Herald: \u201cEvery El Ni\u00f1o is different, we like to tell people we know the average outcome of El Ni\u00f1o, but no El Ni\u00f1o is average.<\/p>\n