East African bloc forecasts higher than normal temperatures in Horn of Africa

NAIROBI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Greater Horn of Africa region will have warmer than usual temperatures from September to November, the Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, said Thursday.

ICPAC noted in its latest update that the temperatures in some countries would rise to over 34 degrees Celsius.

"Drier than usual conditions expected over the eastern parts of the region during the September to November season with warmer than usual conditions likely over most parts," ICPAC said.

The IGAD agency also forecasted wetter than normal conditions in a few countries, including in southern Sudan, eastern South Sudan, western Kenya, western Ethiopia, and some parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.

Other countries that make up the Greater Horn of Africa region are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea.

Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD executive secretary, said recently that the weather pattern in the region has become erratic due to climate change.

According to ICPAC, the Horn of Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate-related risks.