Drier conditions and an increased risk of drought across the southern part of the region, particularly in South Africa (SA) and southern and central Mozambique, are expected to persist due to the weather pattern known as El Niño.

El Niño is a natural climate pattern characterised by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean

The World Meteorological Organisation warns that the conditions could increase risks to agriculture, water resources, food security and livelihoods.

SA’s Cabinet has received a report on the potential impact of El Niño and is considering measures to mitigate the associated risks.

The El Nino projections are quite grim. It is expected to affect temperatures, rainfall and tropical cyclone patterns, impacting climate-sensitive sectors.

–SABC–