SADC Climate Experts Release Rainfall Forecast for 2024/2025 Amidst Ongoing Climate Challenges
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has released its rainfall seasonal forecast for the period October 2024 to March 2025, following the 29th Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) held from August 26-28, 2024, in Harare.
The forum, which convenes biannually, brought together climate experts, national meteorological and hydrological services, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss climate variability and forecast implications.
The SARCOF-29 theme, “At the Frontline of Climate Action Towards Improved Climate Services in the SADC Region,” emphasizes the need for enhanced national meteorological and hydrological services to better implement climate and water management frameworks.
The forum plays a crucial role in providing early warnings and guiding evidence-based decision-making in climate-related policies.
Dr. Sithembiso G.G. Nyoni, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, highlighted the critical role of SARCOF in shaping the regional seasonal rainfall forecast. She urged experts to include additional forecast parameters, such as rainfall onset, cessation, and dry spells, to aid in more comprehensive planning.
Dr. Nyoni also underscored the significant impact of extreme weather events, erratic rainfall patterns, and droughts on ecosystems, food security, and socio-economic stability.
Ms. Mapolao Mokoena, SADC Director of Infrastructure, discussed the forum’s vital role in delivering seasonal forecasts and supporting decision-making in health, energy, water, and food security sectors.
She noted that the region faced severe climate impacts during the 2023/2024 period, including a humanitarian appeal for US$5.5 billion to assist over 61 million people affected by El Niño-induced droughts and floods. The current food insecurity level is at 17.1%, affecting approximately 67.7 million people.
The forum also saw Mr. Tebogo Matlhare, Representative of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Botswana and SADC, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting climate interventions through the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Application (ClimSA) Programme.
The ClimSA initiative aims to enhance climate services and build resilience against climate risks in the SADC region.
The seasonal forecast released at SARCOF-29 will guide the region’s preparedness and response strategies for the upcoming rainfall season, as SADC continues to navigate the challenges posed by climate variability and extreme weather conditions.
