By Kei Emmanuel Duku
IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) has forecasted moderate rainfall across parts of Eastern Africa between June 19th and 26th, 2024.
Central to northwestern South Sudan, western Ethiopia, southern to southwestern Sudan, southern coastal Somalia, and most of Kenya’s Lake Victoria Basin can expect moderate rainfall (50-200mm).
Light rainfall (less than 50mm) is forecasted for most areas of South Sudan, Uganda, western and eastern Kenya, central and southern Somalia, central Sudan, Ethiopia, and western Eritrea.
While some regions anticipate below-average rainfall, ICPAC warns of isolated areas with exceptionally high rainfall exceeding historical records in western Ethiopia and southern/southwestern Sudan.
This raises concerns about potential flooding. ICPAC urges communities in at-risk areas to relocate to higher ground to minimize potential loss of life and property damage.
On the other hand, high temperatures (above 32°C) are expected in central to northern Sudan, parts of Djibouti, Eritrea, northeastern Ethiopia, and northwestern Somalia.
Meanwhile, moderate temperatures (20-32°C) are forecast for most of South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, eastern and northeastern Kenya, and coastal and northwestern Tanzania.
Mild temperatures (less than 20°C) are anticipated in Rwanda, Burundi, parts of southern Tanzania, western Kenya, and central to southern Ethiopia during the last week of June.
The Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) is expected to experience generally warmer temperatures during this period. Heat waves are possible in parts of Djibouti, Eritrea, central to northern Sudan, and northwestern Somalia.