SOMALIA Rain Watch June 5, 2014 FEWS NET will publish a Rain Watch for every 10 days (dekad) through the end of the current April to June Gu rainy season. The purpose of this document is to provide updated information on the progress of the Gu season to facilitate contingency and response planning. This Somalia Rain Watch is valid through June 10, 2014 and is produced in collaboration with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) Somalia, the Somali Water and Land Information System (SWALIM), a number of other agencies, and several Somali non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Significant amounts of rain fell in most of pastoral areas in the North

From May 21 to 30, field reports and satellite rainfall estimates indicate rains ranging from 10 and 50 millimeters (mm) were received in most of the Northwest and in parts of the Northeast. However, there was little or no rain in most of the central and southern parts of the country (Figure 1). Rainfall was well below the 2001 to 2013 mean in most of South-Central Somalia and parts of Sool, Bari, and Togdheer Regions in northern Somalia (Figure 2).

In the Northwest, moderate to heavy rains fell in Awdal and Woqooyi Galbeed and in West Golis Pastoral livelihood zone in Toghdeer Region. In addition, localized light to moderate rains were received in parts of the Hawd zone, including in Burao, Buhoodle, and Odweyne Districts and in agropastoral areas in Toghdeer. In Sool Region, light to moderate rains were received in many areas on the Sool Plateau, in the Nugal Valley, and in the Hawd. In Sanaag, localized, moderate rains were reported from East and West Golis and Sool Plateau Pastoral livelihood zones. In most of the Northwest, pasture and water conditions have generally improved with the exception of parts of the Hawd in Toghdheer Region and on the Sool Plateau in Sanaag which received very little rain.

In the Northeast, significant amounts of precipitation fell in the Hawd of Garowe, Galkayo, and Burtinle Districts, while light to moderate rainfall was reported in many parts of the Sool Plateau in District and in some parts of Addun and Nugal Valley Pastoral livelihood zones. In Bari Region, only localized light to moderate showers fell over most pastoral areas. However, rains were insufficient to regenerate pasture and replenish water. Reports indicate small-scale, early, livestock migration from parts of the Sool Plateau in Bari to Sanaag and Nugal Regions.

In the central regions of Galgaduud and , most areas had very little rainfall. Only sporadic, light showers were received in some parts of Addun and Hawd Pastoral livelihood zones. Most of the cowpea belt had dry weather. Overall, these recent rains have had only limited impact in terms of increasing water availability and improving pasture conditions that have generally remained below average in central pastoral areas.

In the South, most areas received little or no rain. In the Juba Valley, field reports and satellite-derived rainfall estimates show rainfall of up to 50 mm were received in the coastal areas of in Kismayo, Jamame, and Badhadhe Districts, where previous rainfall had been mostly below average. In the Shabelle Valley, Bal’ad District received light showers. In Bay and , most of the pastoral and agropastoral areas had moderate precipitation. Rain gauge readings from Hudur and El Barde were 62 mm and 34 mm, respectively. However, pasture, browse, and water conditions are average in all pastoral areas of the South. Similarly, maize and sorghum are generally developing normally in the grain baskets in Bay and . Exceptions to the normal crop and forage development include parts of , , and pastoral areas in Lower Juba. Field reports indicate water availability is declining due to a dry spell from May 21-30, especially in and Gedo.

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (Figure 3) shows that current vegetation conditions in southern parts of the country are generally within the normal range, following recent and earlier rain. The Global Forecast System (GFS) precipitation forecast for June 6 to 12 is for moderate rain of between 10 mm and 50 mm in parts of the South and the North. Gedo, Bakool, Awdal, and parts of the central regions are expected to be dry (Figure 4).

For more rain gauge data, please, contact [email protected] or visit http://www.faoswalim.org.

FEWS NET Somalia FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity. The content of this report does not necessarily reflect [email protected] the view of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States www.fews.net/Somalia Government.

SOMALIA Rain Watch June 5, 2014

Figure 1. Rainfall estimate (RFE2) in mm, May 21 to 30, Figure 2. Anomaly in mm from 2001 to 2013 mean, 2014 May 21 to 30, 2014

Figure 3. eMODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Figure 4. Global Forecast System (GFS) rainfall Index (NDVI) anomaly from 2001-2010 mean, May 21 to forecast in mm for June 6 to 12, 2014 30, 2014

Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and USGS/FEWS NET

Famine Early Warning Systems Network 2