More than 450,000 people worldwide could die over the next six months because of record heat driven by the El Niño weather phenomenon, according to a joint report by climate scientists at the Climate Impact Lab and the University of Chicago, the website infohub.kz reports.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon in which surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific become significantly warmer than usual.
According to the researchers, the effects of the heat will be felt around the world — from Indonesia to India, from Nigeria to the United States. Many additional deaths are expected as a result of droughts, wildfires and floods.
The researchers called for measures to protect populations. These could include more accurate heat forecasts, the creation of cooling centers where people can shelter from extreme weather, more medical staff during the hottest periods, and protection for outdoor workers.
"The estimate of 451,000 is so large that it can be overwhelming, but it includes parents and children, grandparents, neighbors, people who go to work, care for their families and live their lives," said Michael Greenstone, a professor and co-author of the report.
Heat-related deaths are expected to rise from September through February 2027.
Over the next six months, the worst-affected countries are projected to be Nigeria, Indonesia, Sudan, India and Brazil, according to the researchers' estimates. The United States is also among the 20 most affected countries, with an additional 3,500 heat deaths forecast.