By Dogga Morris and Bosco Bush
South Sudan Meteorological Service has forecasted that heavy rainfall is expected across much of Western Bahr el Ghazal State in the next seven days.
The forecast indicates that wetter conditions will prevail over most parts of the country from September 10th to 17th, raising concerns about potential flooding and other weather-related challenges.
The Meteorological Service further predicts mean temperatures below 28°C for most regions of South Sudan, with the exception of Kapoeta, Renk, Unity State, Pibor, and the Abyei Administrative Areas, as well as northern parts of Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal States.
These temperature variations, combined with the anticipated rainfall, could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in the region.
The Met Service advised the general population to take precautionary measures.
Residents are encouraged to clear debris from their surroundings and maintain effective drainage systems around their homes to mitigate the risks associated with heavy rainfall.
The public is also urged to stay informed by monitoring weekly updates from the Meteorological Service, as conditions may change rapidly.
This year’s heavy rainfall has already been identified as a primary cause of flooding across South Sudan. On August 29, the United Nations agency projected that during the peak of the rainy season, which typically occurs between September and October, as many as 3.3 million people could be affected by flooding nationwide.
This situation poses a threat to communities that are still recovering from the devastating floods that occurred between 2019 and 2022, which displaced at least one million people each year.
Local authorities and humanitarian organizations are preparing to respond to potential flooding events, but the scale of the anticipated rainfall raises concerns about the capacity to manage such crises effectively.
As communities brace for the impending rain, the need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies has never been more urgent.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities during this challenging period.
According to UNOCHA, over 700,000 people have been affected by floods across the country.