- Locusts have infested a wide portion of western Madagascar, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people.
- Reduced rain was observed along the Gulf of Guinea, while heavy rain fell over South Sudan during the past week.
1) Since the beginning of May, intermittent and insufficient rains have increased rainfall deficits over parts of north central Nigeria. Scattered, moderate to heavy showers are forecast over the region during the next outlook period; but they may not be sufficient to fully overcome accumulated deficits.
2) Below-average rain since the beginning of the season has delayed planting over parts of western Mali. An increase in rain is expected during the next week; however the forecast amounts may not compensate for the seasonal deficits.
3) The landfall of Tropical Cyclone HARUNA in February has provided favorable conditions for locust breeding in southwestern Madagascar. Recent assessments have reported rice and maize crop losses averaging 40 – 70 percent in the southwest and 100 percent over localized areas. Locusts could infest expansive areas over two-thirds of the country by September, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
