India has been placed among countries facing high to very high health risks as a strengthening El Nino event is expected to reshape weather patterns across South Asia. The assessment comes as vector-borne diseases are already showing an upward trend in parts of the country. The World Health Organization's Global Public Health Situation Analysis - El Nino 2026, released on September 5, projects drier-than-normal conditions and above-normal temperatures across much of South Asia between August and October. India is among the countries identified as being at elevated health risk during this period.

The potential impact is particularly relevant for clinicians managing patients during periods of sustained heat. Higher temperatures can contribute to heat-related illness while placing additional stress on cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and metabolic conditions. Maternal and newborn health…