The 1997-1998 El Nino event : a scientific and technical retrospective : a contribution to the United Nations Task Force on El Nino for implementation of United Nated Nations General Assembly Resolutions 52/200 and 53/185.

Bibliography: p. 92-94

Over the closing decades of the twentieth century the term El Nino has become synonymous with social, economic and environmental crises in many parts of the globe. El Nino signals a major departure from the normal climate patterns, particularly those affecting tropical regions. For some countries an El Nino event is typically associated with abnormal heat and drought, whereas for others it is persisting rain and devastating flooding. Loss of crops, stock and food reserves, destruction of shelter and community infrastructure, and outbreaks of disease are some of the impacts that impose hardship and set back social and economic development. However, drought, flood and other manifestations of climate extremes are not recent phenomena. What is new is the knowledge to link a pattern of simultaneously occurring climate extremes within a global framework. This knowledge, with a developing capability to predict a season or more in advance in some regions, is providing new tools for preparedness and early warning to reduce the risks and better manage the impacts of climate extremes, and to underpin strategies for sustainable development