Alarms are sounding! The world faces a worst-case scenario; 450,000 could die?

This estimate covers the period from September 2026 to February 2027 and excludes premature deaths already attributed to global warming. The impact could be felt around the world, particularly in Nigeria, Indonesia, Sudan, India and Brazil.

The current El Niño has already exceeded previously recorded levels for this climate phenomenon — months before it is expected to peak. Scientists describe its scale as “staggering” and compare it to “Godzilla” because of its magnitude.

The estimates are based on data from 24,378 regions around the world, comparing temperatures and heat-related deaths between 1996 and 2025.

Michael Greenstone, a professor at the University of Chicago and co-author of the report, said the projections could help governments take timely measures — from improving heatwave warnings and opening cooling centers to increasing the number of medical staff and protecting outdoor workers, The Guardian reports.

Special warnings have been issued for the Sahel region and Southeast Asia. The United States is also among the 20 countries facing the highest risk, with an estimated 3,500 additional deaths.

Scientists warn that the consequences could be far-reaching. The World Food Programme previously warned that El Niño could threaten food supplies and lead to acute hunger for around 50 million people. Professor Friederike Otto of Imperial College London warned that El Niño is now unfolding on a planet that is already warming.

“In many parts of the world, we will face unprecedented extreme heat, with all the consequences this will have for health, food security and water supplies,” Otto said.