No Gu rainfall reported in most parts of the country in early June

Between June 1 and 10, no rainfall was reported in nearly all areas of the country (Figure 1). The exception to this was a small area of Northwest Agropastoral livelihood zone of Hargeisa District in Woqooyi Galbeed that received 10-25 millimeters (mm) of rainfall during the reporting period. Throughout the country, the lack of rainfall was approximately 10 mm below the short-term mean (Figure 2). This is the third consecutive reporting period of either below-average rainfall or no rainfall in large parts of southern, central, and northern Somalia.

In the Northwest, no rainfall was reported between June 1 and 10 in all livelihood zones of Awdal, Togdheer, Sool, and Sanaag Regions, and most livelihood zones of Woqooyi Galbeed Region. The only exception was a small area of Northwest Agroapstoral livelihood zone of Woqooyi Galbeed where 10-25 mm of rainfall were reported. 

In the Northeast, there was no rainfall reported in Northern Inland Pastoral, Hawd, Addun, East Golis, or Coastal Deeh livelihood zones of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug. The dry conditions are likely to negatively impact rangeland resources throughout the Northeast, which were only recently beginning to regenerate with May rainfall.  

In central regions, following erratic and poorly distributed rainfall in April and May, no rainfall was reported in all livelihood zones of Galgaduud and southern Mudug between June 1 and 10. The dry spell is expected to negatively affect the already below-average rangeland conditions in pastoral livelihood zones and may lead to moisture stress among late-planted cowpea crops in Elbur, Elder, and Harardhere Districts.  

In the South, little to no rainfall was reported between June 1 and 10. This 10-day dry spell follows below-average rainfall throughout April and May. It is expected late-planted Gu crops have been negatively impacted by the lack of rainfall in late May and early June. Due to below-average rainfall in the upper Ethiopian highlands, river water levels in the Juba and Shabelle Rivers have declined and are currently below normal. Field reports noted that the river level in Beledweyne District of Hiiraan declined from 6.5 meters during the previous reporting period to 5 meters currently. However, forecast average to above-average rainfall in the highlands in the coming week is expected to increase river water levels in Somalia. 

The satellite-derived eMODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) shows improvements in vegetation conditions in many areas of southern and northern Somalia (Figure 3), likely due to rainfall that was received in May. The seven-day rainfall forecast ending June 19 suggests that little to no rainfall will be received throughout the country in the next ten days. Exceptions to this are in isolated areas of East Golis and Northern Inland Pastoral livelihood zones of Bari and Sanaag and in a few areas of Lower and Middle Juba (Figure 4).  

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