NHLANGANO – Eswatini faces an elevated drought risk this summer after meteorologists issued an El Niño advisory for the 2026–27 season.
The Eswatini Meteorological Service said the El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Alert System had been escalated to an El Niño Advisory, with conditions expected to strengthen during the summer.
According to the service, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean are currently above average, while atmospheric circulation patterns are consistent with El Niño conditions.
The weather phenomenon is forecast to intensify throughout the summer, raising concerns about rainfall and temperatures across the country.
Historically, strong El Niño events have been associated with below-normal rainfall and higher-than-normal maximum temperatures, the meteorological service said.
The developing conditions have heightened the risk of drought across much of Southern Africa, including Eswatini.
The service warned that the effects could be felt across several critical sectors, particularly water supplies, agriculture, public health, disaster risk reduction, energy infrastructure and the natural environment.
The warning comes as the country enters the early summer period, giving authorities and communities time to prepare for possible adverse weather conditions.
The Eswatini Meteorological Service has called for continuous monitoring of rainfall, temperature trends and seasonal forecast updates to improve preparedness.
It also urged stronger coordination between the meteorological service and the National Disaster Risk Management Agency (NDRMA) to ensure that potential drought impacts are addressed promptly.
The service further recommended an immediate and comprehensive review of national drought contingency plans.
It said public awareness campaigns should also be launched to educate communities about ENSO and its potential effects on the country.
The meteorological service said early preparation and regular monitoring would be important as El Niño conditions develop during the 2026–27 summer season.
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