Addis Ababa: The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has predicted that there will be a higher probability of wetter-than-normal conditions in the upcoming March to May 2024, across most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa.

In its press release sent to ENA, ICPAC said that notably, the areas expected to experience these wetter conditions include Kenya, Somalia, southern Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and north-western Tanzania.

The highest probabilities for wetter than usual conditions are indicated in central to western Kenya and in the cross-border areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

The expected enhanced rainfall is likely to positively impact agriculture, water resources, and overall livelihoods, according to the center.

The press release also added that an early to normal rainfall onset is expected in several parts of the region.

These include parts of northern Tanzania, eastern Rwanda, Southern and Western Uganda, Western Kenya, South-western Somalia, and pa
rts of South-central Ethiopia.

” Due to the increased rainfall recorded in the October to December 2023 period, along with the forecast of wetter-than-normal conditions from March to May, there is an elevated risk of flooding in areas prone to floods,’ the ICPAC director Dr. Guleid Artan noted.

The director added the forecast underscores the urgency for coordinated action and preparedness, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the forecast rainfall.

He also stressed the need for uniting in our commitment to leveraging climate information for resilient and sustainable development across our region.

Artan further added that, ‘while the food security situation may improve with wetter than usual conditions, it is important to remember the multiple challenges faced by the region, including the historic 2020-2022 drought, conflict in various parts of the region such as Sudan, and the El Nino-induced floods at the end of 2023.

T
his has weakened communities’ coping capacity, making them highly susceptible to food insecurity. The likelihood of flooding during the 2024 MAM season in parts of the region could lead to a deterioration in food security in localized areas.’

The objective temperature forecast indicates an increased likelihood of warmer than normal surface temperatures over the entire region.

Probabilities for warmer than normal temperatures are most enhanced over Sudan, northern South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and southern parts of Tanzania.

In line with the World Meteorological Organization’s guidelines and recommendations, ICPAC has adopted an objective seasonal forecast method to generate climate forecasts for the Greater Horn of Africa.

February 2024 initialized seasonal forecasts from nine Global Producing Centres (GPCs) were utilized and processed using three calibration techniques to develop the MAM 2024 seasonal climate outlook

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Parliament has passed the Environmental Protection Bill 2023, which seeks to establish the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to regulate, protect, and exercise general oversight and coordination over all matters relating to the environment and climate change.

The Bill seeks to re-enact the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490) and introduce a Pesticide Management Fund.

It also re-enacts the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (Act 917) for consolidation.

The Bill further makes provision for the implementation of actions that position Ghana to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, moving the motion, observed that the Bill integrates both climate and environmental laws, which were fragmented among the ministries, departments and agencies.

He said it intended to bring the Environmental Protection Authority to a level where it would be empowered by law to coordinate and ensure t
he regulations that governed institutions such as the environmental compliance laws or regulations were enforced.

The Bill also sets up a legal framework for climate change action and creates the enabling environment for the country to address the challenges that climate change poses and take advantage of the opportunities it provides.

Dr Emmanuel Marfo, Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, presenting the committee’s report, said the Bill provided a legal framework for a coordinated effort to address all environmental issues in the country.

It will consolidate the various dispersed Environmental Acts; 1996 (Act 528) and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act (917) under one Act.

Dr Marfo said the Bill was intended to establish the EPA as a super regulator over all aspects of environmental protection implemented by institutions that had some responsibilities and control.

He, however, clarified that it was not intended to interfere with the enforcement ro
les of those institutions.

Source: Ghana News Agency