South Sudan Faces Drought Despite Improved Rainfall, FEWS NET Warns
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South Sudan continues to face a combination of drought and flooding despite recent rainfall that has improved conditions in some parts of the country, according to the latest Global Weather Hazards Summary released by FEWS NET.The report, covering the period from August 6 to August 12, 2026, says severe rainfall deficits recorded over the past 90 days have resulted in drought across the country’s Equatoria region. At the same time, flooding persists in the Sudd wetlands, underscoring the growing impact of extreme weather on livelihoods and agriculture.
Although moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of northwestern South Sudan in recent weeks, the report notes that much of the country continues to experience below-average rainfall over the past month. Rainfall deficits of between 50 and 100 millimetres remain across many areas, particularly in central and southwestern South Sudan.
Despite the persistent dryness, improved rainfall has led to healthier vegetation in several parts of the country. FEWS NET forecasts that South Sudan is likely to experience near-average rainfall during the coming week, which could help ease dry conditions if sustained.
The weather monitoring agency also warns that El Niño remains active, contributing to abnormal weather patterns across several regions of the world. In Africa, the phenomenon continues to drive contrasting weather extremes, including drought in East Africa, flooding in parts of West Africa, and excessive heat across Sudan, Chad, Niger, eastern Ethiopia and Eritrea.
FEWS NET said the hazards outlook is based on current weather observations and short- to medium-range forecasts, providing an assessment of potential impacts on crops and pasture conditions over the coming week.
