El Niño puts Botswana on drought red alert

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | 920 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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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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