El Niño puts Botswana on drought red alert

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | 820 Views |

The country’s dams, pipelines and communal watering points are expected to come under pressure. PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The government has sounded a drought alarm, warning that Botswana faces a more than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño that could scorch crops, drain water sources, and kill livestock and wildlife during the coming rainy season.

Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi told Parliament on Friday that the weather system was expected to dominate the country’s rainfall season from October 2026 to March 2027.

El Niño conditions are already present and are forecast to strengthen during the southern hemisphere summer, particularly between October and January.

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That should concern every Motswana. The implications extend far beyond cattle and farmers. Botswana’s beef industry is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting thousands of households and sustaining businesses along the value chain.The loss of access to lucrative export markets has already demonstrated how quickly an animal-health crisis can become an economic crisis.This is, therefore, not the time for complacency, blame, or political...

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El Niño puts Botswana on drought red alert

The government has sounded a drought alarm, warning that Botswana faces a more than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño that could scorch crops, drain water sources, and kill livestock and wildlife during the coming rainy season.

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