A 'Godzilla El Niño' could arrive soon in Southeast Asia, with experts warning that an intensifying El Niño cycle may trigger prolonged heatwaves, drought, haze and extreme weather disruptions across the region.
The warning comes as sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific have risen sharply in recent weeks, crossing the threshold typically used to signal the onset of El Niño conditions. Scientists are now closely monitoring whether the phenomenon could intensify into a particularly strong event in 2026.
From Thailand and Malaysia to Vietnam, soaring temperatures in recent weeks are already changing how visitors experience destinations, with outdoor attractions, beaches and walking districts becoming noticeably quieter during the hottest parts of the day.
In central Vietnam, for instance, Da Nang’s beaches – usually packed with sunseekers – have seen fewer daytime visitors as temperatures climb, according to local reports.
Tourism businesses are also bracing for the wider ripple effects typically associated with El Niño events, which occur every two to seven years and are linked to major climate disruptions worldwide.
Southeast Asia is far from being alone in experience heatwaves.
Across South Asia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have recorded temperatures well above seasonal averages, with some areas approaching or exceeding 45°C.
Meanwhile, parts of Europe are also sweltering under an unusually early heatwave driven by a “heat dome”, which has pushed temperatures far beyond normal spring levels across the continent.