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The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) predicted heavy rainfall in the east Africa region.

A report by IGAD’S Climate Predication and Applications Centre (ICPAC) indicated that the March to May long rainy season will receive above average rainfall.

“Forecast probabilities for wetter than normal conditions are in the range 55-65% over an area including Kenya, Somalia, southern Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and north-western Tanzania,” ICPAC said.

The experts predicted that the highest probabilities are in central to western Kenya and in cross-border areas spanning Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

On the other hand, forecast probabilities favor drier than normal conditions over parts of eastern Tanzania, western Ethiopia, western Eritrea and localized areas in western South Sudan.

ICPAC Director Guleid Artan said the food security situation might improve with wetter conditions.

“However, it is important to remember multiple challenges facing the region, including historic drought in 2020-2022, conflicts and El-Nino induced floods at the end of 2023,” he said.

The agency noted that the likelihood of flooding during the long rains might also lead to deterioration of food security in some parts of the region.