South Sudan to experience worst flooding in decades
By Bol Daniel Deng
As Uganda warns of rising level of water in Lake Victoria forced the government to release it into the
continent’s longest River Nile, which feeds into other lake basins across Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South
Sudan, Sudan and Egypt, the neighboring South Sudan is set to experience worst flooding in decades
across the country, report says.
According to the seasonal forecasts released by South Sudan Meteorological Service (SSMS) for rainfall,
point to a higher probability for wetter-than-usual rainfall, a two months report covering ( MAM)
March April and May 2024 period indicated.
In 2021, part of the country experienced worst flooding in 60s years and the United Nations linked the
situation to climate change, although the flooding was a commonplace in South Sudan , the intensity of
the 2021 impacts has been described unusual , villages have been swept away or submerged and
thousand have been rendered homeless and the current looming situation may be worst , early
warning report stated.
As indicated on the map, the Dark green areas that covered the counties of Morobo, Lainya, greater
Kapoeta, Ikotos, chukudum, Magwi, Torit counties, part of Lakes, Jonglei and Unity state shows
precipitation that will exceeds than the usual long-term values, while Light green areas show area where
precipitation is less than usual amount received
The moderate rainfall predicted across the Equatoria region will probably restore soil moisture reserves
and lead to favorable conditions for early crop planting, and good pasture as well as water reserves.
In the last three months, South Sudan experienced high temperatures and intense heat waves,
something that SSMS attributed to movement of the sun from the southern hemisphere to the
northern hemisphere and human activities like destroying the environment
“The South Sudan Meteorology Services (SSMS) says , the current heat wave the Country is
experiencing is a result of a combination of three factors which include the movement of the sun from
the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere and human activities like destroying the
environment”.
It expects counties marked with red color Raja, Wau, Jur, Northern Bhar el Ghazal greater Aweil, Twic,
Abyei, Greater Tonj, Upper Nile Renk, Melut, Manyo, Ballet, Maban, Rubkona, Longochuk could be in for
an even hotter weather with the maximum temperature projected at 41 degrees Celsius while for those
counties marked with orange color Western Equatoria, Lakes, Part of unity, part of Jonglei temperatures
could soar to 38 degrees lastly the light orange in Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and part of
Jonglei expected to receive temperature ranging from 30-36 degrees Celsius for the period spanning
March to May 2024.
The SSMD says people should hydrate enough and avoid walking under the direct sun to protect their
bodies. Based on the above considerations given by SSMS, the National Early Warning Technical
Working Group (NEWTWG) has come up with detailed MAM seasonal rainfall outlook implications and
advisories for different sectors.
The consensus climate outlook for MAM has both positive and negative implications to watch. On the
positive side, areas receiving above normal rainfall (700-800mm) will have good performance of crops in
most of the cropping areas like the green belt etc.., vegetation, adequate pasture, availability of water
for livestock and wildlife, and plenty of fish on downstream.
The report concluded proposing that an IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC),
along with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, should continuously monitor the
progress of MAM and provide forecasts regarding the expected impacts throughout the upcoming
months as well as governments and humanitarian organizations to ensure that early warning
information reaches all, and contingency planning is in place.