Dry conditions continue to impact the greater Afar region of Ethiopia, and eastern Kenya. Meanwhile dryness is spreading in sections of the Sahel.
Good growing conditions benefit southern Ethiopia and Sudan. Soil moisture is also above normal in portions of the eastern Sahel, however the past two weeks have been dry, possibly reversing that trend.
1) The failure of the Long Rains in Eastern Kenya has resulted in a severe drought. Crops and pastures have both suffered due to the poor rainfall. Precipitation normally returns to the region in October.
2) Rainfall in parts of Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Guinea has been below normal. Precipitation in the area has been light and erratic. If moisture does not improve in the area there could be impacts on crops in the region.
3) Erratic rainfall in southern Somalia led to a poor cropping season. Moisture, however was only slightly below normal and this may have been sufficient to recharge pastures. Rainfall typically returns to the area in October.
4) Rainfall has begun falling in the greater Afar region. Poor rainfall totals earlier this year have hampered the recharging of pastures. During the past week light precipitation moved into the area, possible signaling the return of the rains.
5) Well distributed rainfall has improved conditions in northwestern Kenya, southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia. Pastures, crops and drinking water supplies have all benefited from the plentiful rains.
6) Good conditions have been observed from Chad to eastern Burkina Faso. Abundant rains over the past two months have favored recently sown crops while giving moisture supplies an early boost. There are concerns, however, that recent dryness in the area may be reversing the regions good start to the season.
7) In much of Rwanda farmers that planted crops late are likely to see a reduced harvest. Rainfall ended on time in the area, before the crops were ready to be harvested.
8) Preseasonal rains have failed to materialize over parts of Darfur, Sudan and nearby Chad. If these conditions continue into the wet season, the impacts could complicate the humanitarian crisis in the area.