National monthly drought update - January 2021

Most ASAL counties experienced sunny, hot, and dry weather conditions for most of January 2021 which is usual for this time of the year. Overall, rainfall performance in most parts of the country was depressed with most ASAL counties recording rainfall amounts that were below 50 mm.

During the month, higher than average daytime temperatures were recorded over the entire ASAL region. The higher than average daytime temperatures led to raised rates of evaporation and evapotranspiration which caused faster reduction in water levels in the open water reservoirs and from the soil surface hence resulting in rapid drying up of dams, water pans, and moisture stress/wilting in pasture and crops.

Although a majority of the counties are still in the normal drought phase, compared to the situation in December, the drought status in most ASAL counties deteriorated in January.

Currently, the drought status is categorized as follows:
⦁ Normal, 16 counties;
⦁ Alert, 7 counties.

In terms of trend, the situation is as follows:
⦁ Worsening in 15 counties;
⦁ Stable in 6 counties;
⦁ Improving in 2 counties.