Reduced spring rains in Africa predicted

13 April 2012

UPI - 12 April 2012

WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- Spring rains in the eastern Horn of Africa are likely to begin late this year and be substantially lower than normal, forecasters said.

Through May, the rains are expected to total only 60 to 85 percentage of the average rainfall in this region, a significant drop from earlier forecasts that could have significant impacts on crop production, rangeland regeneration for livestock, and replenishment of water resources, officials said.

The rainfall projections were completed by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, which monitors high risk areas of the developing world with the most food insecurity, identifying critical situations in which food aid will be needed.

FEWS NET is sponsored and led by the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Food for Peace, partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey, Chemonics International, Inc., NASA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Category: Water