EARLY WARNING BULLETIN FOR FOOD SECURITY
No. 2015/16
IN THE GAMBIA
Period: October 1-10, 2015
Produced and Published by The Gambia National
Multidisciplinary Working Group
Focal Point: Department of Water Resources
TEL: (+220) 4227631 / 4224122 / 8905229 - FAX: (+220) 422 50 09
Government of The Gambia
E-MAIL: dwr@mofwrnam.gov.gm / WEB: www.mofwrnam.gov.gm
1.0 METEOROLOGICAL SITUATION
1.1. SYNOPTIC SITUATION
The ITD on average was over southern Mauritania, sloping over central Mali, Central Niger and onto
Chad. To the north of the ITD the weather remained mostly stable except for occurrence of occasional
scattered light rain showers over Western Sahara. Dust haze was observed over northern Mauritania
and southern Algeria. Whilst to the south of the ITD, scattered and convective cloud developments
were observed resulting to rain and thunderstorms over the Gulf of Guinea States, Burkina Faso, Mali
and the Senegambia region. A few of these storms were relatively heavy.
1.2 WEATHER SUMMARY FOR THE GAMBIA
Warm and partly to variable cloudiness affected the country during most part of the dekad. However
two occurrences of widespread thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds swept across the country
during the second half of the dekad.
1.3 WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT DEKAD (11th – 20th October 2015)
Generally warm, humid and partly cloudy to variable cloudiness with isolated thundery activities are
expected.
2.0 AGROMETEOROLOGICAL SITUATION
2.1. RAINFALL SITUATION
Rainfall situation in the country is still favourable as indicated in the dekadal totals. In the Western
Third, rainfall dekadal totals varied between 56.9mm over Kerewan highest to 21.1mm over Banjul. In
the Middle Third, dekadal totals varied from 76.2mm over Sapu to 24.8mm over Kaur, where as Basse
and Fatoto recorded decadal totals of 39.6mm and 75.7mm respectively. These rains are hugely
important and relevant for agriculture particularly in the West Coast Region and in other parts of the
country were late planting of crops took place.
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
1
Seasonal rainfall amounts recorded as at 10th October still indicate variations in recorded rainfall
amounts over the entire country. In the Western Third the highest seasonal totals were 1295.2mm over
Yundum Airport, (highest countrywide), 1191.mm over Kerewan, 1149.4mm over Sibanor, and
748.3mm over Banjul. In the Middle Third, Sapu recorded 1217.9mm, 859.2mm over Jenoi, 645.6mm
over Janjangbureh and 536.8mm over Kaur. In the Eastern Third the highest recorded rainfall amount
was 948.0mm over Basse, whilst the lowest recorded was 839.9mm over Fatoto (Figure 1b)
Kaur
13.5
Banjul
Yundum
Kerewan
Fatoto
Basse
Sibanor
13
-17
Sapu
Janjangbureh
Jenoi
-16.5
15
-16
30
45
60
-15.5
75
-15
-14.5
-14
Figure 1a: Rainfall totals for 1st to 10th October 2015.
Kaur
13.5
Banjul
Yundum
Kerewan
Fatoto
Basse
Sibanor
13
-17
-16.5
Sapu
Janjangbureh
Jenoi
-16
500
-15.5
1000
-15
-14.5
-14
Figure 1b: Rainfall totals from May 1st 2015 – October 10th 2015.
2.2 RAINFALL COMPARISMS
The Country average as of 10th October 2015, stand at 947.0mm, 52.2% above the country average of
last year (10th October 2014, 621.8mm), and 17.1% above the long term mean (1981-2010,
808.3mm).
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
2
2.3 Temperature
Average temperatures across the country continued to show little variation. During dekad, average
temperatures were between 27°C and 30°C.
2.4 Winds
Winds were light, moderate to strong in speed, The highest wind speed recorded was 64km/h at
Janjangbureh in the Middle Third of the Country, whilst the lowest wind speed recorded was 24km/h
at Fatoto in the Eastern Third of the Country.
2.5 Sunshine Duration
Average sunshine duration during this dekad was between 4hours over the Middle Third to 7hours in
the Western Third of the country.
2.6 Relative Humidity
Average relative humidity across the country continued to be high above 60% throughout the entire
Country.
3.0 Hydrological Situation
N/A
4.0 AGRICULTURAL SITUATION
NB: The Agricultural situation is not available because we were unable to communicate to Regional
Agricultural Officers for their input during the dekad. We strongly apologize for this, hope to capture
their inputs in the next bulletins.
WEST COAST REGION
N/A
.
NORTH BANK REGION
N/A
LOWER RIVER REGION
N/A
CENTRAL RIVER REGION NORTH
N/A
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
3
CENTRAL RIVER REGION SOUTH
N/A
UPPER RIVER REGION
4.1 COMMODITY PRICES
N/A
4.2 CROP PROTECTION
4.3 LIVESTOCK
The Livestock situation in the Country is now satisfactory due to the abundance of feed and water in
all the regions. Clinical treatment figures have dwindled down as animals’ health status and
productivity have risen owing to the availability of succulent palatable grasses in all pastures and easy
access to water. In CRR-N, 87 heads of cattle were treated for suspected cases of multiple diseases,
117goats, 58 Sheep, 94 horses and 27 donkeys were treated during the last dekad of September.
LRR reported 85 heads of cattle, 63 Sheep, 71 goats, 84 horses, and 73 donkeys were treated. CRR-S,
67 heads of cattle 77 Sheep 67 goats’ 84 horses and 59donkeys were treated. Clinical treatment figures
for NBR, 85 heads of cattle 57 Sheep 89 goats’ 65 horses’ 66 donkeys were treated. WCR 69 heads of
cattle 54 Sheep 91 goats 83 horses and 61donkeys were treated.URR 103 heads of cattle 81 Sheep 78
goats’ 86 horses 55 donkeys were treated. It is paramount to note that the clinical cases received in this
deka were suspected cases of various diseases. The Department of Livestock Services will not relent
on its drive to prevent and control animal diseases in the Country.
4.4 FISHERIES
N/A
5.0 NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NDMA)
N/A
6.0 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (NEA)
N/A
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
4
Banjul October 12th 2015
National MWG of The Gambia
Composition of MWG:
Department of Water Resources
Planning Services - Department of Agriculture
(DOA)
Communication, Extension & Education
Services - DOA
Department of Livestock Services
Plant Protection Services - DOA
National Environment Agency
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
Direct your comments and questions to:
The Director
Department of Water Resources
7 Marina Parade, Banjul
The Gambia
Tel: (+ 220) 422 76 31 / 422 41 22 /
890 52 29
Email: dwr@mofwrnam.gov.gm
5