Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Mauritania + 16 more

The 2014 Rainfall Season: West and East Africa (September 2014)

Attachments

Highlights

Sahel

• The Sahel region has undergone significant and widespread rainfall deficits, leading to significantly below average vegetation levels.

• Worst affected areas are Senegal, southern Mauritania, eastern Niger, NE Nigeria and central Chad • There was some recovery from late July, in particular in Niger and Chad. However, Senegal and Mauritania remained affected by persistent rainfall deficits.

• Hopes of an extended rainfall season have now faded. Early September rains were also poor in the affected regions (e.g. Senegal) and unremarkable in areas under recovery (Niger).

• Serious impacts on agricultural production in Senegal and Mauritania are now inevitable. Recovery window in Niger and surrounding countries is quickly narrowing.

Eastern Region (Sudan, Ethiopia)

• After promising early rains, drier than average conditions have affected central and eastern Ethiopia for the remainder of the season.

• Sudan has had a varied season with dryness episodes but also heavy and intense rainfall events leading to floods in West Darfur, Kordofan and Khartoum regions. Cereal producing regions in eastern Sudan show clear signs of poor crop performance.

• South Sudan has had a good season so far with early onset of the growing season and no major rainfall deficits. Recent heavy rains have led to localized flooding in along riverine areas in Unity and Jonglei States.