afrol News, 18 April - Locust breeding and swarms have been reported near Konso and the Rift Valley in southern Ethiopia, despite the increased rainfall over the last week across the country, Food Emergency Warning System alerted.

The timing and scale of locust migration is not entirely clear, but the rainfall is expected to encourage the hatching of eggs, hopper band formation and aneastward migration into the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, the Food Agricultural Organisation said. The current locust infestation has the potential to threaten local pastoralists’ access to pastures particularly for areas southeast of KibreMengi in the Oromia province.

Heavy precipitation amounts exceeding 75 mm, expected to significantly improve degraded pastures and soil conditions resulting from the long-term drought throughout much of Kenya, fell across the Gariss, Ijiara and Wajir provinces of northern Kenya.

Also in Tanzania, heavy precipitation totals [100 mm] fell near Dar es Salam, providing sufficient soil moisture for the emergence of maize near the Tanga district.

Precipitation forecasts predict a continued improvement in the next seven days for much of Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and into Somalia. But significant drought relief may be anticipated for many local areas in central and coastal Somalia.

Widespread and isolated precipitation totals exceeding 30 mm are expected to also improve the long-term drought conditions in central and northeast Kenya.

Parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi are expected to be hit by dryness that affects crop yields.

In the last week, there was some rainfall accumulation in southern Mozambique, but monthly and seasonal rainfall deficits are becoming more significant. As a result, there is concern over maize, millet and sorghum yields for areas of the capital Maputo.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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