The phenomenon of extreme weather is again a global concern. In 2026, it is predicted that an El Niño phenomenon  will emerge with very strong intensity—which the media often dubbed "Godzilla El Niño". The term is not an official scientific classification, but rather a metaphor to emphasize its extraordinary scale and intensity, similar to  the devastating El Niño events that  occurred in 1997–1998 and 2015–2016.

In addition to making the air feel much hotter, El Niño has the potential to trigger long droughts, food supply disruptions, and serious threats to public health. Therefore, understanding the risks and preparing early is the main key to minimizing their adverse impacts.

What is Godzilla El Niño?

Scientifically, El Niño is a warming sea surface temperature (SST) in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes global weather patterns. If this warming is particularly strong, the media calls it "Godzilla El Niño" to describe its extreme scale and intensity.

In Indonesia, El Niño usually leads to decreased rainfall, longer dry seasons, and increased air temperatures.

Characteristics of the peak of the phenomenon:

- Rise in air temperature: a significant daily temperature spike above the normal average.

- Rainfall deficit: a drastic decrease in rainfall in the affected areas.

- Extreme drought: a longer, dry, and arid dry season.

The combination of the three factors above directly increases the risk of forest and land fires, clean water crises, and crop failures in the agricultural sector.

Main Causes

The occurrence of El Niño is triggered by complex interactions between the ocean and the global atmosphere:

- Trade winds weaken, so that warm water masses shift to the central and eastern Pacific.

- Anomalies of warming at sea surface temperature (SST).

- Atmospheric circulation disturbances, Changes in the Walker Circulation that reinforce the reversal of weather patterns.

- Long-term impacts of climate warming, which have the potential to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme phenomena.

Health Threats to Watch Out for

Exposure to extreme temperatures and environmental changes due to El Niño brings a number of public health impacts:

- Dehydration and Heatstroke : High temperatures accelerate the evaporation of body fluids through sweat. If not anticipated, this can lead to severe dehydration and heatstroke—a fatal medical emergency if treated too late.

- Respiratory Tract Disorders (ARI): Dry, dusty environmental conditions, plus the risk of smoke from wildfires can trigger a surge in cases of ARI, asthma, and respiratory tract irritation.

- Diseases Due to Clean Water Crisis: Drought reduces the quantity and quality of clean water. This poor sanitation triggers the spread of diseases of the digestive tract such as diarrhea and intestinal infections.

- Spikes in Vector-Based Infectious Diseases: Temperature changes affect the life cycle and replication of viruses in disease vectors such as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has the potential to increase cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

- Impact on Mental Health: Economic stress due to crop failure, water crisis, and extreme environmental discomfort is prone to triggering stress, anxiety, and depression in affected communities.

Anticipatory Step Guide: Staying Healthy in the Midst of Extreme Weather

Dealing with El Niño requires mitigation measures that are based on health and weather:

- Optimize Hydration: Drinking enough water is important because the body loses fluids faster when temperatures are high.

- Heat Exposure Protection: Limit activities during the day as the risk of heatstroke increases significantly.

- Create a Cool Environment: Ventilation and cooling help keep the body temperature stable.

- Keep water clean and sanitation: The use of clean water and sanitation is important to prevent diseases during droughts.

- Strengthen Immunity: Nutrition and rest are enough to increase the body's resistance to environmental stress.

- Monitor Official Information: BMKG routinely provides early warnings related to extreme weather

The "Godzilla El Niño" of 2026 is not just an ordinary meteorological issue. This phenomenon is an alarm for public health and national food security. While we cannot stop this natural cycle, its impact can be minimized through massive education, careful preparedness, and the implementation of a healthy lifestyle. Early preparation is the best investment to protect yourself and your family.

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