Japan says emergence of El Nino weather pattern getting closer

A man walks through rain in Hong Kong on May 10, 2014. Japan's weather bureau said on Tuesday that the emergence of the El Nino weather pattern, which is often linked to heavy rainfall and droughts, is getting closer. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP 
A man walks through rain in Hong Kong on May 10, 2014. Japan's weather bureau said on Tuesday that the emergence of the El Nino weather pattern, which is often linked to heavy rainfall and droughts, is getting closer. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP 

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan's weather bureau said on Tuesday that the emergence of the El Nino weather pattern, which is often linked to heavy rainfall and droughts, is getting closer.

The agency, which first predicted in February the chance of an El Nino pattern forming this year, reiterated in its monthly bulletin that one could emerge this summer and last at least until autumn.

The El Nino - a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific - can trigger drought in Southeast Asia and Australia, as well as floods in South America, hitting production of key commodities such as rice, wheat and sugar.

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