SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION - September 1997
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In the western part of the Sahel, following an early start of the rainy season in May/June, rains decreased to well below normal over most parts of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania from the second dekad of July up to mid-August, severely affecting early planted crops. Precipitation resumed in late August/early September with abundant and widespread rains over the entire region. In the eastern part of the Sahel, weather conditions have been much more favourable with generally above normal rainf all in Chad and widespread and regular rains in Niger. In between, in the central part of the region, precipitation remained generally regular and widespread in Mali and Burkina Faso. In Cape Verde, abundant rains were received in late August on all islands. The latest Meteosat satellite image for the first days of September shows that cloud cover remains over most parts of the Sahel but that intensity of the rains decreased in central and northern Senegal, Mauritania as well as in Niger and nor thern Chad. Rains remained quite abundant in Guinea Bissau, southern Senegal, Mali, southern Burkina Faso and southern Chad. Assessment missions have been fielded in drought affected areas of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. Reduced rains in July in the west of the Sahel have severely affected crop development and will diminish yield potential. Abundant rains of late August/early September permitted replenishment of soil moisture reserves, regeneration of pastures and filling of water rese rvoirs, thus improving prospects for crops that had not failed. Crops are generally growing satisfactorily in the centre and the east of the Sahel.