Author(s): Tassew Mekuria
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: IAHR; Hydrolink; Africa; floods; drought; Ethiopia; clean water; climate change; Bega; Tassew Mekuria
Abstract: In Ethiopia, the daytime temperature is constant throughout the year. The dry season has bright, sunny days with moderate to cool temperatures. From September to February is the long dry season known as Bega. The long rainy season is in June, July, and August known as Kiremt. Excessive heavy rains in Ethiopia start in April, peak in May, and continue up to August. Overall, Ethiopia has a tropical monsoon climate. The interior plateaux, usually above 2,400 meters in elevation, experience warmer days and cold nights. The hot zone consists of areas of low elevation which are very hot year-round and humid in the tropical valleys and the East of the country. The main economic source of the country is agriculture, for which activities such as plowing land for cash crops and fostering grass food for livestock are carried out after the soil is moistened from the rainwater during and after the rainy season. Recently, climate change is affecting the timing of the dry and rainy seasons. The unusual and unexpected flooding and droughts negatively affect cash crops, grasses, fruits, and vegetables, significantly reducing their production. This article aims at sharing information on some of the recent flooding and drought events in Ethiopia and their impacts on human life, health, well-being, and development.
Year: 2022