Only light Gu rains fell in late May

Gu rains have been fairly low since mid-May in many parts of the county. However, moderate to light rains of between 25 millimeters (mm) and 75 mm fell in many parts of the North and some parts of the South from May 21 to 31 (Figure 1). However, field reports indicated that contrary to satellite rainfall estimates, most of Bari Region in the Northeast received little or no rain. The rainfall estimate (RFE2) for May 21 to 30 was nearly the 2001-to-2014 mean in most parts of the country, but it was below-average in parts of Bakool, Hiraan, Lower Juba, and the central regions (Figure 2).

In the Northwest, field reports indicate localized light to moderate rains fell in Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag Regions. These helped further improve pasture and water conditions and facilitated additional establishment of crops. Livestock were migrated in from Bari and Sanaag Regions to the Nugal Valley in Xudun District Sool Region and Ceel-Afweyn District in Sanaag. However, some agropastoral areas in Togdheer and Awdal had limited rainfall, retarding crop growth and pasture regeneration.

In the Northeast, light to moderate amounts of rain fell over the Nugal Valley and parts of the Sool Plateau. There was light rainfall in some parts of Coastal Deeh Pastoral livelihood zone in Bari Region. However, low pasture and water availability, especially in some of Sool Plateau Pastoral, Karkaar-Dharor Pastoral, and East Golis Pastoral livelihood zones in Bari Region have resulted in livestock abnormally being migrated during the rainy season to neighboring areas in Sool, Nugal, and Sanaag Regions.

In the central regions, there was far less rainfall than in recent weeks in the Hawd, Addun Pastoral livelihood zone, and the cowpea belt. However, most areas still have average availability of pasture and water. In Hiraan, light to moderate rains fell in pockets in Beletweyne and Buloburte Districts. For example, rain gauges in Beletweyne and Halgen recorded 31 mm with one day of rain and 6 mm with two days of rain, respectively. Rains have further refilled natural water catchments and berkads. They have also allowed continued growth of crops, pasture, and browse.

In the South, most areas had little or no rain. Moderate amounts of rain fell in Xudur District in Bakool, and Afmadow, Kismayo, and Dhoblei Districts in Lower Juba. The rest of the South was dry. In Middle Shabelle, some riverine farms in Jowhar and Mahaday Districts still remain waterlogged from floods in early May. Rain gauge readings from Xudur and Baidoa indicate only 0.5 mm and 10 mm of rain with one and three rainy days, respectively. However, pasture and water conditions remain typical to good in most pastoral, agropastoral, and riverine areas due to rain earlier in the season.

The satellite-based eMODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) indicates that overall the rangelands have more resources due to the rainy season across most of Somalia. However, NDVI is below-average, indicating poorer availability of rangeland resources, in most of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Bari, and Sanaag Regions where the rains have been less intense and the cumulative total of rainfall has been lower (Figure 3). The seven‐day rainfall forecast for June 3 to 9, indicates moderate rains of above 20 mm in most parts of the Northeast and Northwest, which could improve vegetation and water conditions. Both East Golis and West Golis Pastoral livelihood zones and parts of the Hawd of Togdheer Region will likely receive heavier rainfall. The rest of the country is likely to remain dry over the coming week (Figure 4).                      

For more rain gauge data, please, contact So-Hydro@fao.org or visit www.faoswalim.org.