Press Release El Niño climate phenomenon - Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. C. Joseph Vijay orders constitution of an Expert Advisory Committee for Disaster Management The El Niño climate phenomenon, caused by a rise in sea surface temperature above normal in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, is capable of causing significant changes to global rainfall and weather patterns. El Niño typically occurs once every 2 to 7 years. When sea surface temperature rises by 2 degrees Celsius or more, it is considered a Strong/Super El Niño. According to meteorological studies, there is a high probability of a strong El Niño event developing in 2026. As a result, the south-west monsoon may bring less than normal rainfall. Furthermore, extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and floods, are expected during the northeast monsoon period. In view of this situation, in order to scientifically assess, in advance, the possible impacts of a strong El Niño, and to undertake appropriate preparedness and disaster management measures, consultations were held under the chairmanship of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. C. Joseph Vijay, and orders were issued to constitute an Expert Advisory Committee for Disaster Management under the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA). The committee comprises the following experts with experience in climate change, disaster management, environment, coastal resource management and urban infrastructure: - Professor S. Kanmani, Head, Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management (CCCDM), Anna University, or an alternate Director of CCCDM nominated by Anna University. - Thiru. Balaji Narasimhan, Professor, Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. - Thiru. Arivudai Nambi Appadurai, Director, Climate Resilience Practice, WRI India; Member, Tamil Nadu Climate Change Governance Committee. - Professor Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran, Advisor, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC): Expert Member - Development of a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Blue Economy. - Dr. R. Sengadesan, Expert Member - State Environmental Assessment Committee; Expert Member, Technical Expert Committee (CRZ) and TNMRF. - Dr. J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) - Head of research and capacity-building programmes on coral reefs, seagrass ecosystems, marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystem restoration. - Thiru. R. Pradeep Mohan, Senior Manager, Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL). Key Functions of the Committee The Committee will continuously monitor rainfall and drought conditions in the State, identify vulnerable areas, strengthen early warning systems, provide scientific recommendations for mitigating drought and flood risks, and improve the State's preparedness to face climate-change-induced disasters. Based on the recommendations of this Expert Advisory Committee, the Government of Tamil Nadu will undertake the necessary preparedness and disaster management measures to pre-emptively address the impacts of a strong El Niño and protect the lives, livelihoods and infrastructure of the public. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9