ICPAC warns of below-normal rainfall and higher temperatures in South Sudan (June–September 2026). Photo credit: ICPAC.

South Sudan climate experts are warning that the country could face severe food insecurity this year due to an anticipated shortfall in rainfall across much of the region during the upcoming agricultural season.

Climate scientist Ogeith Obuol Majok said forecasts indicate that South Sudan and neighboring countries are likely to experience significantly reduced rainfall between June and September, raising concerns over crop failure and worsening hunger.

“As I said, the upcoming season for our state and the region is forecast to be dry, which is different from the last five years since 2019,” Majok said.

“We expect a significant reduction in rainfall this year, not only in South Sudan but also across much of the region, including Uganda, most parts of Kenya, central and western Ethiopia, and much of Sudan.”

According to Majok, the dry conditions come after years of destructive flooding that affected nearly seven of South Sudan’s ten states, displacing thousands of people and disrupting livelihoods.

“These areas have been receiving a lot of flooding, which has made life difficult for the population to manage,” he explained. “It has also caused conflicts in some areas, as people migrate from lowlands to highlands, leading to disputes over land and resources.”

Majok warned that the expected reduction in rainfall could trigger agricultural failure and deepen the country’s food crisis at a time when many households are already struggling with inflation and economic hardship.

“This means that food insecurity is likely to increase because the agricultural season may fail due to lack of rainfall, creating another challenge for the population,” he said.

He called for urgent intervention from both the government and humanitarian partners to prepare communities before the dry season intensifies.

“We are hoping to establish a sectoral advisory system where we can begin anticipatory actions, whether through government efforts or support from partners,” Majok said. “We must take these forecasts seriously as released by the regional climate authorities.”

Environment and Climate activist Nyamach Hoth Mai emphasized the need for climate-smart agriculture to help smallholder farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.

“When we talk about climate adaptation and climate-smart agriculture for smallholder or subsistence farmers, we need to identify crop varieties that can withstand water stress and use seeds that are drought resistant,” Mai said.

She urged communities to adopt water harvesting methods to preserve rainwater during short periods of rainfall instead of allowing it to flow away during flash floods.

“During periods of light rainfall, we can harvest rainwater by constructing ponds and reservoirs to store the little water available,” she explained. “Sometimes, when it rains, the water quickly flows away in flash floods.”

Nyamach also highlighted the importance of efficient irrigation systems and renewable energy solutions to support farming activities during drought conditions.

“We need to manage the little water we have efficiently through systems such as drip irrigation, which is suitable for areas with limited water supply,” she said.

“Since we have abundant sunshine, solar pumps can help transfer water from ponds to farms for irrigation.”

She further called for awareness campaigns and training programs to help communities adapt to climate-related challenges.

“Communities also need awareness and capacity building so they can better manage water resources and adapt to climatic variations during extreme weather events,” Nyamach added.