Johannesburg, South Africa — Drought and Flooding Menace Madagascar and East Africa.
The African continent is facing a double whammy of severe drought and widespread flooding, with Madagascar and parts of East Africa bearing the brunt of these extreme weather conditions, according to the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) for the period of April 23 to April 29, 2026. Southern Madagascar is in the grip of a severe drought, a situation that has been exacerbated by poor rainfall since January.
The dry spell is further complicating the country’s challenges of endemic poverty, food insecurity, and rapid population growth.
Meanwhile, parts of East Africa are experiencing flooding, particularly in the Sudd wetlands of northern South Sudan, and in several countries across the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is dealing with dryness in central and western areas, while drought conditions are also affecting western and central Angola.
In contrast, southern Ghana, southwestern and northern Ethiopia, central Mozambique, and southwestern South Africa have faced flooding and landslides. Looking ahead, the forecast indicates a potential for moderate to heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding in several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the DRC, Botswana, and South Africa.
The situation in Somalia is also of concern, with abnormal dryness reported in central parts over the past 30 days.
The international community is taking notice, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issuing warnings about the concurrent heat and flood extremes, which pose significant risks to food security.
As the world grapples with these challenges, the need for robust disaster management and climate adaptation strategies is more pressing than ever. KICKER: The unfolding weather disasters underscore the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring the resilience of vulnerable communities.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
