By Fatou Jonga
The Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources predicted that this year’s rains will be very likely normal to likely above normal with most places in the county experiencing above normal annual rainfall. The authorities have also predicted that the rainfall onset will be early to normal in most part of the country with the earliest onset date predicted to begin in Eastern and Central Sectors of the country between 8th and 15th June 2023.
The onset is likely to be delayed up till 20th June in the western sector of the country” a press release indicated.
The presentation of the climate forecast for the 2023 rainy season, was held on Friday, May 29th during a national workshop held at NaNA.
The aim of the workshop was to inform farmers earlier about the climate forecast for 2023 rainy season.
Dr. Muatapha Ceesay, the Country Director of FAO said climate change is a global challenge that required comprehensive and cross sectorial actions.
He noted the need for urgent act against the impact of climate change on crop, and livestock productions, fisheries and the entire food system.
“As rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly uncertain and unpredictable, the need to strengthen climate services and early warning systems in The Gambia for climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change becomes even more obvious,” he stated.
He added that providing early warning information allows people and organisations mitigate weather -related losses and to enhance social benefits, including protection of lives and livelihoods, property, public health and safety.
Ceesay made reference to the ‘Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change in The Gambia (AACCP), an FAO project aimed to strengthen national capacity to assess vulnerabilities and risks and disseminate timely clime risk information to users at all levels.
Mr. Lamin Mai Touray, Director, Department of Water Resources made reference to the devastating impact of flooding and the risks and threats of climate change on environment and food security.
Rainfall cessation in 2023 is predicted to be late to normal in most part of the country – October 27 while longer than normal length of the season is predicted for most part of the country to be in the range of 118-125 days.
Authorities have also predicted that the 2023 rainfall season is expected to undergo more variability than the 2022 season with events such as early to normal onset, occasional flash flooding, late or normal withdrawal of rains and short to average dry spells.
