South Sudan braces for severe floods after historic drought and El Niño surge
After months of extreme dryness, Juba has been hit by heavy storms, and officials warn that unprecedented flooding could hit South Sudan by December.
Weeks of record-low precipitation left Juba sweltering and water-scarce before violent thunderstorms arrived in early October, flooding neighborhoods and cutting power lines. Scientists link the shift to a strengthening super El Niño, a climate pattern that can cause both droughts and intense rains depending on the region. South Sudan's Ministry of Water Resources warned that the phenomenon is likely to bring above-average rainfall to the Lake Victoria and parts of the Nile basin, potentially pushing water levels past historic peaks.
Officials anticipate that rising river flows could inundate settlements, damage critical infrastructure and jeopardize the means of subsistence for many residents. The country, already struggling with conflict and corruption since its 2011 independence, faces a compounded humanitarian challenge as flood risk looms later this year.
Why it matters
Floods could worsen food insecurity and displacement in a nation already plagued by conflict and poverty.
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