Highlights:
The month of October is marked by a general close to average to above average rains in most of the regions in the country with the exception of Awdal, W. Galbeed and parts of Togdheer regions in Northwest where the rains were insignificant. Some of the rain gauge stations in the northern and central areas which recorded above average rainfall include: Buadodle (109mm), Taleex (61mm), Burtnile (110mm), Eyl (184mm), Galdogob (273mm), Iskushuban, (72mm), Galkayo (163mm). In the South, above average rains were observed in Beletweyn, Buloburti and Jowhar with 185mm, 210mm and 200mm of rains, respectively (Table 1).
River flooding was reported in the upper steams of Beletweyn (Hiran) region, while flash floods occurred in some villages of Bay as well as in Beletweyn town in October. In both cases, floods caused loss of property, including livestock, housing and crops. Observed river levels in the month of October indicated a moderate risk of flooding in lower reaches of Shabelle River.
Nevertheless, the Juba River was at stable levels with no risk of flooding.
Satellite derived rainfall estimates (RFE) are comparable with the observed rainfall as presented in Maps 2-5. According to RFE, rainfall deficit areas expressed as a percentage of long term mean (LTM) include Sool, Sanaag, Sool-Sanaag Plateau livelihood zones in Bari, Nugal, Coastal Deeh livelihood zone in Central and Middle Shabelle regions, Bakool and northern part of Bay (Map 9). Field reports indicate normal rainfall performance during the month though with poor spatial distribution, especially in the Northeast and Central.
The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (SPOTVEGETATION-1Km resolution) shows a significant improvement in vegetation, which is attributed to a well established crop conditions in the southern and central cropping areas (Maps 6-8). Small to large increase of vegetation prevails in all rainfed and irrigated livelihood zones across Somalia (Map 10). However, depressed vegetation is visible in small pockets in Bay, Bakool, Gedo, Lower Shabelle and Jubas.
Optimal development of cowpea and sorghum crops is reported in the Cowpea Belt of Central.
Weeding of crops (maize and sorghum) is widely taking place in central and southern cropping areas while in Northwest districts of Borama and Gebiley harvesting of sorghum is on-going. Pasture for both grass and browse terms have profoundly improved in most of the key pastoral areas in the country. The Deyr rains have continued to improve the rangeland conditions and replenished most of the water catchments. Livestock body conditions are generally normal in most areas however in drought stricken areas of Guban livelihood in the Northwest, and the Coastal Deeh of Northeast the livestock body conditions are still below average to poor.
Note: Map in 4 pages