Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA (EI): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called for urgent preparedness to avert the impacts of an impending flash floods in parts of Ethiopia from June to September.
The urgent call was made by the Nairobi-based IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC), as it underscored the urgent need to put in place anticipatory actions to effectively respond to possible impacts of the anticipated flash floods.
The ICPAC, which published its periodic forecast with a summary for decision-makers of IGAD member countries regarding the weather conditions between June to September, 2024 on Monday, said anticipated flash floods, river overflow and back-flow of lakes, are expected to trigger landslides in parts of Ethiopia.
The ICPAC said that the anticipated flash floods would result in human and livestock deaths, as well as property damage in parts of Ethiopia that are projected to receive above-normal rainfall.
It also warned that flooding-induced displacement and water-borne diseases would affect more than 2.5 million people across Ethiopia.
It further said enhanced probabilities (65 percent) of above average rainfall are predicted over drought-prone areas of northeastern Ethiopia, isolated areas of central Sudan, and Eritrea. Raised probabilities (55 percent) of wetter conditions are also indicated over south-western and central Ethiopia, much of Sudan, eastern South Sudan, eastern Uganda, and parts of western and coastal Kenya. On the other hand, parts of northern Somalia, isolated areas over western Ethiopia, and western South Sudan are likely to experience drier-than-average conditions.
In contrast, the ICPAC said its 15-month rainfall analysis showed the potential for long-term rainfall deficits to persist over central and northern Ethiopia, which is linked to the depressed rainfall during the June to September 2023 season.
The June-to-September is an important rainy season, especially in the northern and western parts of the region, where it generally contributes more than 40 percent of the annual rainfall and more than 90 percent in parts of the north, according to the ICPAC.
The regional bloc also warned that above-normal rainfall and warmer -than-normal temperatures are predicted over most parts of the Horn of Africa.
(PHOTO – OCHA Ethiopia)
