Pakistan, Sept. 23 -- This year's powerful El Nino could cause an estimated 451,000 additional heat-related deaths worldwide through February, researchers have projected. The weather pattern was declared in June and is expected to peak later this year.

Researchers said El Nino could push global land temperatures 1.2degC above normal in the coming months. The warmer conditions could also produce 44% more extremely hot days than during a typical year.

Developing countries are expected to face the heaviest impact. The Sahel could record 66,800 additional deaths, while Nigeria alone could account for nearly half that number.

Indonesia could see 19,300 extra deaths, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia could record 19,400 c...