ReliefWeb

Late season dryness spreads across much of Southern Africa

1. Below-average rainfall since February has resulted in rainfall deficits in southwestern Ethiopia.
   Rainfall forecast during the next week should help alleviate deficits.

2. Below-average rainfall over bi-modal northern Tanzania during the past several weeks has increased rainfall deficits and affected crop conditions. A significant increase in rainfall is expected across Tanzania and neighboring countries in late March.

3. Heavy rainfall triggered flooding in Benguela Province of western Angola during the past week. Heavy downpours are forecast to continue during the next week, which may lead to additional flooding.

4. Since late December, below-average and poorly distributed rainfall has led to abnormal dryness across a broad portion of southern Africa, which will likely negatively affect crop production in parts of southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa.

5. Extended dry spells since January have led to large rainfall deficits in northeastern Namibia. With the end of the rainy season approaching, recovery is unlikely