The region is preparing for a "super" El Niño: harvest and agricultural sector are under threat

In Indonesia, the world's largest producer of tropical algae, crops have suffered due to intense heat. Wayan Suwarbawa, a farmer from Nusa Lembongan island, reported that a week of severe heat in July led to bleaching and the death of the harvest, with losses estimated at nearly 10 million rupiahs (USD 570).

In Thailand, one of the world's largest exporters of sugar and rice, producers are also concerned about the upcoming drought. In Suphanburi province, Chuan Juntar, a farmer who has been growing rice for over 30 years, depends on the water in his own reservoir and fears the disruption of the next planting. Punsak Chanchampee, Chairman of the House Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment, warns of the risks of water shortages for rice, sugarcane and other crops.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, as of July 10, the drought affected about 30,400 hectares of rice fields. In addition, the country's palm oil production next year may decline by nearly 2 million metric tonnes due to dry weather and high fertilizer prices.

The climate phenomenon also creates risks for renewable energy. Drought threatens hydropower generation, and weakening monsoon winds affect wind farms. During the previous super El Niño period, water resources of Vietnam's river systems decreased by up to 60 percent in some regions, leading to the shutdown of a number of hydroelectric power plants.