Relief Is on Its Way for Southern Africa After a Record Drought.

WORLD Food Programme; METEOROLOGICAL services; EL Nino; RAINFALL; LA Nina; GROWING season; HYDROELECTRIC power plants

Southern African nations that have been grappling with a severe drought caused by El Niño may soon see relief, as better rainfall is predicted. The central part of the region, including Botswana, central Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, is expected to experience normal to above normal rainfall from October to March. This change is attributed to a transition from the El Niño to the La Niña weather pattern. The drought has had devastating effects on agriculture, leading to livestock deaths, a significant corn shortfall, and food inflation. The United Nations World Food Programme is seeking corn imports to address the shortfall, while Namibia plans to cull animals in drought-stricken national parks to alleviate grazing pressure and provide food for vulnerable communities. In Zambia, a growing drought-induced hydropower-generation deficit is expected to result in significant energy-supply gaps. [Extracted from the article]

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