In the northern regions, most areas remained dry with the exception of West Golis and Guban Pastoral livelihood zones in Woqooyi Galbeed, Awdal, and Togdher Regions, which received unusual, moderate rainfall with average distribution. Those rains improved pasture conditions and water availability conditions and increased livestock migration options. Ground reports indicate that dry weather persisted in the pastoral areas of the Hawd, the Sool Plateau, the Nugal Valley, East Golis, the Dharor Valley, and Coastal Deeh Pastoral livelihood zone in the Northeast. In contrast, light precipitation was reported in localized areas of East Golis in Erigabo District in Sanag Region. However, heavy rains during the first half of November had considerably improved rangeland conditions and replenished water sources, so migration options remain mostly normal for pastoralists in the northern regions.
The central regions remained dry with strong winds intermittently blowing. Ground reports indicate that dry weather persisted in all livelihood zones in the central regions, but pockets of the cowpea belt received moderate rainfall, but it had irregular temporal distribution. The driest area was the Hawd Pastoral livelihood zone where the Deyr rainfall totals since the start of the season in October have been low and well below average. This dry winds are likely to accelerate water depletion and cause moisture stress in both pasture and standing cowpeas, which are at the flowering stage and require additional soil moisture to fully mature. Similarly, in Hiraan, dry weather persisted. This dryness had further worsened the conditions for rainfed sorghum in agropastoral areas in Beletweyne District. This sorghum may wilt if rains are received between now and the end of December.
In the South, most of Bay, Bakool, Gedo, and Middle and Lower Juba Regions received only limited, light showers or remained dry. However, moderate amounts of rain fell in Jowhar and Balad Districts in Middle Shabelle, parts of Lower Shabelle, and localized areas in Bay and Bakool Regions. Rain gauges in Baidoa, Qansaxdhere, and Bardale recorded four millimeters (mm), six mm, and 15 mm of rain, respectively. In most of the South, development of sorghum, maize, and cowpea crops has been seasonally normal thus far. However, continued rain remains crucial for crop development. Reports indicate river floods continued along the Juba, in Middle Shabelle, and in parts of high potential areas in Lower Shabelle, including in Wanleweyne, Afgoye, and Kurtnwarey Districts, preventing some agricultural activities such as replanting.
Vegetation conditions, as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), indicate significant increases in most of the country. However, pastoral areas in the Jubas and southern Gedo show large decreases in vegetation conditions, probably due to relatively drier conditions over the past month (Figure 3). The precipitation forecast for December 4 to 10, indicates moderate rains of between 10 and 40 mm are likely to resume in parts of Lower and Middle Juba, Gedo, Bay, and Lower Shabelle Regions. Northern and central regions, Hiraan, and Bakool are likely to continue to have dry conditions (Figure 4).
Somalia
