from ODIRILE TOTENG in Gaborone, Botswana
Botswana Bureau
GABORONE, (CAJ News) – THIS rainfall season is forecast to be a mixed blessing for Southern Africa.
During the period, most of the region Africa is expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall.
The World Food Programme (WFP) stated all countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc are at risk of flooding, especially along major rivers or due to cyclonic activity, in particular the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
“The season is forecasted to experience average to above-average cyclonic activity,” according to WFP.
It noted Madagascar and Mozambique are most vulnerable to tropical storms and cyclones, although Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe had also experienced severe impacts in the recent past.
“While the forecast presents an increased risk of flooding and storm damage, which can devastate lives and livelihoods, increased rainfall also presents an opportunity for increased agricultural production, given the region’s reliance on rainfed agriculture and hydroelectric power.”
Southern Africa has largely recovered from the effects of the El Niño-induced drought during the 2023/2024 rainy season.
Then, poor rainfall and high temperatures throughout much of the season and a record mid-season dry spell led to widespread failed harvests across the region.
An estimated 55 million-68 million people were left food-insecure.
According to the 31 Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-31), held in September 2025, normal to above-normal rains are expected for most countries for most of the season.
Southern Africa is one of the regions worst affected by climate change globally.
– CAJ News