Several regions in Eastern Africa are expected to experience unusually heavy rainfall and higher temperatures in the coming week, according to the latest forecast from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).
Areas likely to see increased rainfall include southern Sudan, western and northeastern Ethiopia, northern Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
The forecast suggests these regions may face challenges such as flooding, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate potential risks.
Moderate rainfall is expected in parts of northern Somalia, southwestern Sudan, north-eastern Ethiopia, southwestern Uganda, and central to western Kenya.
However, ICPAC also warns of below-average rainfall across most of South Sudan, Uganda, southern Ethiopia, and central to southern Somalia.
In addition to the rainfall forecast, ICPAC has issued warnings about warmer-than-usual temperatures in the greater Horn of Africa over the next seven days.
Temperatures exceeding 32°C are predicted for central and eastern Sudan, as well as north-eastern Ethiopia, raising concerns about heat stress and potential health impacts on local populations.
Specifically, the Afar region of Ethiopia and parts of Eritrea are expected to experience significant heat stress, with high temperatures also forecast for much of Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
Meanwhile, cooler temperatures, below 20°C, are anticipated in northern and southern Ethiopia, central and western Kenya, western Rwanda, and southern Tanzania.
As Eastern African communities prepare for these changing weather patterns, local authorities and humanitarian organisations are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of both extreme rainfall and heat.
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