Recent increases in rainfall unable to overcome long-term seasonal deficits in southern Africa
Africa Weather Hazards
Significantly suppressed and poorly distributed seasonal rainfall since October has negatively affected many countries in southern Africa.
Exacerbated by a poor rainfall seasonal performance last year, several consecutive weeks of below-average rainfall has led to reduced water availability, permanently wilted crops, major reductions in planted areas, livestock deaths, and other adverse conditions over many areas.
Severe drought conditions are prevalent over portions of the Free State and North West Provinces of South Africa,
Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, where very low seasonal rainfall and anomalously high temperatures have been continuously observed.Combined with a poor rainy season last year, many bimodal rain areas in the Gulf of Guinea region have experienced little to rainfall since January, which has led to quickly developing moisture deficits, dried rivers, and crop losses.