Scientists say El Niño conditions are already developing and warn the upcoming event could be unusually strong and costly. Meteorologists quoted by multiple outlets state that current forecasts suggest the strength of this El Niño may rival, or exceed, the record event that began in 1997. That earlier El Niño is described as a catalyst for widespread impacts, including extensive damage across multiple regions. The reporting emphasizes that El Niño can affect global weather patterns, which can translate into higher risks of disruptive weather and related economic and humanitarian costs. Both sources frame the current development as a situation to watch closely because of the potential scale of effects if the event matches or tops the 1997 benchmark. While details on specific countries and impacts are not provided in the supplied excerpts, the shared thrust is that forecasters are preparing for a high-intensity El Niño based on emerging indicators and model predictions.