Context:
El Nino conditions prevailing since mid-2023 had ended and were replaced by El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral phase.
El Nino:
- A climate pattern associated with the warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- Impacts –
- Suppresses rainfall over India during monsoon.
- Brings rain to South America
- Induce droughts to Indonesia and Australia
El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO):
- A recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- Occurs in irregular cycles of 2–7 years.
El Nino and La Nina:
| EL-NINO | LA NINA |
| Trade Winds weaken in the Pacific | The Trade Winds become stronger than normal |
| Warmer waters accumulate in the eastern part of pacific | Cold water accumulates in the western part of the Pacific |
| Reduced upwelling of nutrient rich water affecting fisheries in Peru coast | Enhanced upwelling of nutrient rich water leading to flourishing fisheries in the Peru coast |
| Weakens Indian monsoons and increases precipitation in North America | Results in better than normal monsoon in India |
| El-Nino is more frequent | La-Nina is less frequent |
Source: NOAA
Previous Year Question
The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
(b) Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
(c) Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
(d) The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Answer: (a)
