UN News Today 03 September 2026 |

El Niño likely to continue through February

The UN’s World Meteorological Organization, or WMO, is warning that a powerful El Niño climate pattern, which has already started, is likely to persist through February 2027, with impacts expected to be felt well into next year.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that typically develops every two to seven years, when water in the Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm. That warming can alter atmospheric circulation thousands of miles away, shifting rainfall and temperature patterns everywhere.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Thursday, WMO Chief Celeste Saulo said there is a nearly 100 per cent likelihood that El Niño will continue through February.

El Niño can disrupt weather patterns worldwide, bringing drought and extreme heat to some regions while increasing the risk of heavy rainfall, flooding and tropical cyclones in others. It will likely affect agriculture, fisheries, energy, transport and health, with vulnerable communities facing heightened risks.

The impacts are already being felt in Latin America, where Peru has declared a state of emergency in parts of the country over flooding and landslides, while countries in Asia are preparing for below-normal rainfall.

Pacific nations are on alert for an above-average tropical cyclone season.

Ms. Saulo urged countries to prepare before the impacts arrive, including through early-warning systems and measures such as drought-resistant crops, livestock protection and flood safeguards.

“El Niño does not have to be a recipe for disaster. We have the focus, the foresight, to save lives and protect livelihoods. Today, we are issuing a call to action.”

UN condemns Iran ‘foreign infiltration’ bill

A UN Human Rights Council-mandated fact-finding mission on Iran is calling on parliamentarians there to withdraw draft legislation that could see journalists, academics and activists imprisoned for up to 30 years for communicating with foreign people or organizations.

The “Countering Foreign Infiltration” bill would require Iranians to obtain government approval for a wide range of activities, including publishing books, cooperating on academic projects, contacting foreign media, attending conferences and artistic events, and engaging in some financial transactions.

The independent human rights investigators warn that “broad and vaguely worded” legislation would further restrict freedom of expression and association and isolate Iranians from the international community.

Investigators also warned that the legislation could criminalise cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms. 

It said punishing or threatening people for communicating with the independent UN mission would constitute reprisals and said it will monitor the situation and report updates to the Human Rights Council.

The UN’s human rights office says even without the draft legislation, the Iranian government has already arrested dissidents linked to opposition groups.

Nepal floods raise risk of disease outbreaks

In the areas affected by the flash floods in Nepal, the living conditions of tens of thousands of people are dramatically raising the risk of waterborne and infectious disease outbreaks, the UN Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, warned on Thursday. 

Water supply systems and sanitation facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed, and displaced families are crowded into host households and holding centres. 

UNICEF estimates that 22,000 children urgently need safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene support to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks.

The agency has dispatched essential water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies for around 19,000 people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

These include almost 4,000 hygiene kits, over 3,000 collapsible jerrycans, 4,000 bottles of water treatment solution and more than 1,000 tarpaulins.

Charlotte Dawson, UN News