2026 becomes one of hottest years as extreme weather kills thousands

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 13:26 · Archive

Extreme weather events in 2026 have killed tens of thousands as El Niño worsens climate impacts.

2026 is shaping up to be one of the hottest years since records began in 1850, with El Niño shifting warmer seawaters eastwards and fuelling extreme weather events including typhoons and flash floods. The death toll from weather disasters this year is already in the high tens of thousands and expected to rise further.

Australia has suffered record heat, with temperatures jumping nearly 20 degrees Celsius above average. Port Augusta recorded 50 degrees Celsius, and Melbourne hospitals reported a 25 per cent increase in heat-related illnesses. In Brazil, the city of Juiz de Fora recorded its wettest ever month, triggering mudslides that killed at least 72 people and displaced over 10,000 in poor communities on unstable hillsides. Floods have also disrupted Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. East Africa has been severely affected, with at least 131 people killed in floods and mudslides in Ethiopia, 80 in Kenya and 18 in Tanzania.

Scientists warn that climate breakdown may be accelerating. Cassie Flynn, Global Director of Climate Change at the United Nations Development Programme, said the world must choose to invest now in protection or pay a greater price later. As COP31 continues in Turkey, activists from Pacific Island nations have taken their climate fight to the UN's highest court.

How it is being reported

• Choking fires, deadly heat and devastating floods: 2026 in extreme weatherPeople around the world have contended with unprecedented weather events and their fatal effects caused by the climate catastrophe After the world’s hottest summer since records began in 1850, the death toll from extreme weather in 2026 is already in the high tens of thousands. That is a conservative estimate and is certain to rise much higher. As Cop31 continues and scientists warn that climate breakdown may be accelerating , the Guardian looks back at a year of droughts, fires and floods as a reminder that, unless the world takes urgent action to cut emissions, this disastrous year will be…The Guardian · 14 Nov, 13:00
• El Niño fuels climate disasters: The high price of inaction2026 is set to be one of the hottest years on record, with El Niño worsening the impact of extreme weather events. With COP31 underway in Turkey, FRANCE 24 speaks with the UNDP's climate boss about the cost of waiting in a warmer world, and with one of the student activists from Pacific Island nations who took their climate fight to the UN's highest court, and won.France 24 · 13 Nov, 16:35

In this story: El Niño · Australia · Brazil · East Africa · United Nations Development Programme · Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change

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