A Brazilian scientist has warned that the El Niño weather pattern expected in the second half of 2026 could be one of the strongest on record and urged authorities to prepare for heavy rainfall in southern Brazil. The states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina are expected to be among the hardest hit, with rainfall likely peaking between September and November. The warning recalls the devastating floods of 2024, when heavy rains that began in late April caused rivers to overflow, killing at least 180 people and displacing more than 581,000. The United Nations weather agency has forecast a moderate to strong El Niño, which could raise global temperatures and increase the risk of extreme weather in the months ahead. #elnino #weather #brazil #rains