Long-term Drought in Africa

Parts of Africa have been plagued by dry seasons growing hotter and rainy seasons arriving later and with less water for crops and livestock.
Heavy Rains Hit Drought-Stricken Horn of Africa
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Heavy Rains Hit Drought-Stricken Horn of Africa

Water overtopped the banks of the Shabelle and Juba rivers, affecting hundreds of thousands of people in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Published Apr 14, 2023

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Worst Drought on Record Parches Horn of Africa
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Worst Drought on Record Parches Horn of Africa

The most severe drought in 70 years of record keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine.

Published Dec 13, 2022

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Etosha Pan Refills
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Etosha Pan Refills

For much of the year, the salt pan is bone dry. But when the wet season brings abundant rains, the large, shallow basin becomes a temporary oasis.

Published Jan 21, 2020

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Water Levels Keep Falling at Lake Kariba
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Water Levels Keep Falling at Lake Kariba

The world’s largest reservoir now stands at its lowest level since 1996.

Published Dec 30, 2019

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Drought Threatens Millions in Southern Africa
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Drought Threatens Millions in Southern Africa

Diminished rainfall, combined with soaring temperatures, has jeopardized the food security and energy supplies of millions of people in the region.

Published Dec 16, 2019

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Food Crisis Grows from Dry Soils
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Food Crisis Grows from Dry Soils

Drought is apparent across much of East Africa after seasonal rains failed to deliver much moisture to the region.

Published May 30, 2019

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Drought Harms Corn Crops in Southern Africa
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Drought Harms Corn Crops in Southern Africa

Dry conditions are bringing food insecurity to several countries.

Published Mar 20, 2019

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Cape Town’s Reservoirs Rebound
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Cape Town’s Reservoirs Rebound

After nearly running out of water in early 2018, the city’s reservoirs are being replenished by rain, conservation efforts, and engineering fixes.

Published Jul 16, 2018

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Cape Town’s Water is Running Out
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Cape Town’s Water is Running Out

A multi-year drought, a growing population, and management choices have put the city’s water supply in a precarious position.

Published Jan 29, 2018

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Water Shortage in Western Cape
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Water Shortage in Western Cape

Reservoirs in the South African province are low after three years of unusually dry weather.

Published Nov 7, 2017

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Prolonged Drought Spurs Elephant Starvation
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Prolonged Drought Spurs Elephant Starvation

For elephants roaming the savanna in Kenya, drought can be a matter of life and death.

Published May 3, 2017

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Food Shortages in the Greater Horn of Africa
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Food Shortages in the Greater Horn of Africa

War, food distribution problems, and drought have come together to push millions of people to the brink of starvation.

Published Feb 28, 2017

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Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation and Drought in Africa
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Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation and Drought in Africa

The most important natural factor behind drought in the Sahel seems to be a cyclical shifting of ocean temperatures in the North Atlantic.

Published Sep 6, 2016

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The Ring Around Lago de Cahora Bassa
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The Ring Around Lago de Cahora Bassa

Low water levels on this Mozambique reservoir betrayed signs of drought stress in August 2016.

Published Aug 16, 2016

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Soil Moisture in Ethiopia
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Soil Moisture in Ethiopia

Following Ethiopia’s worst drought in decades, rainfall in 2016 is off to an uneven start.

Published Apr 19, 2016

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The Decline of Lake Kariba
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The Decline of Lake Kariba

Drought has struck a huge reservoir on the border Zambia and Zimbabwe, reducing the hydro power supply from Kariba dam .

Published Feb 12, 2016

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A Band of Fire in Sub-Saharan Africa
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A Band of Fire in Sub-Saharan Africa

Every year, a massive band of manmade fire emerges in satellite imagery of northern Sub-Saharan Africa in November.

Published Feb 9, 2016

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Drought in Southern Africa
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Drought in Southern Africa

Hot and dry conditions associated with a strong El Niño left experts wondering if a record agricultural drought was in the works.

Published Feb 3, 2016

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