Rainfall deficits continue to increase in the Gulf of Guinea region
Africa Weather Hazards
Poorly-distributed rainfall since October 2015 has resulted in large moisture deficits, leading to wilted crops, livestock deaths, and reduced water availability over many areas of Southern Africa. With the season coming to an end, recovery is unlikely.
Irregular and poor rainfall over the past four weeks has led to increasing rainfall deficits over Liberia, portions of eastern Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and western Ghana. Little relief to the dryness is forecast during the next week, likely maintaining moisture deficits into late May.
Low and infrequent rainfall since late March has led to locally moderate to large moisture deficits across parts of southeastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania.
Significantly heavy seasonal precipitation over many parts of Ethiopia and Somalia has elevated rivers levels along the Jubba and Shabelle River Basins and has triggered flooding, landslides, the displacement of thousands of people, and fatalities over many regions in eastern and southern Ethiopia. More seasonable precipitation is forecast over the region during late May.
Torrential, heavy rainfall since late April resulted in floods, damages to infrastructure, displaced populations, and fatalities throughout many regions of Kenya. Enhanced rainfall forecast is expected to continue this week, sustaining the risk of flooding and other adverse ground impacts.