Little relief expected for anomalously dry areas of East Africa and Hispaniola
Africa Weather Hazards
Significantly above-average rainfall since early August has led to saturated ground conditions and localized flooding in several regions of West Africa. Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across the region during the next week, which is expected to sustain the risk of flooding across the region.
In early September, locally torrential rains resulted in floods, displaced populations, and damages to crops and infrastructure in the Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kano states of northwestern Nigeria. Heavy rains and dam failure have also led to flooding, affecting thousands of people in the Gombe and Adamawa states of the country.
Average to above-average rainfall is forecast for both regions during the middle of September.While the recent increase in precipitation in August is expected to lead to more favorable ground conditions, a delayed onset and uneven rainfall distribution observed during the June-September season may negatively impact cropping and pastoral conditions in the region.
Despite recent increases in rainfall, the much delayed start to the rainfall season has resulted in drought, which has severely impacted ground conditions and led to livestock death across parts of north-central and eastern Ethiopia.
Significantly below-average rainfall during August has led to increased moisture deficits in several provinces in southern South Sudan and northern Uganda. Below-average rainfall is forecast in the region during the next week.