by Silence Charumbira
MASERU, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Lesotho's agriculture minister has said that the country has procured drought-tolerant seeds and advised livestock farmers to grow fodder and collect water as the country prepares for a hotter, drier summer.
For the mountain kingdom, where many rural households depend on rain-fed farming, the coming season is raising concerns over crops, livestock and public health.
Selibe Mochoboroane, Lesotho's minister of agriculture, food security and nutrition, said recent rains had left enough moisture to "carry us into December," and that the government had taken steps to help farmers cope.
"We ensured that we have procured the drought-tolerant seeds, which I think if properly used, they will still be able to be harvested," he said.
"Over and above that, we have advised our farmers to plant lucerne as fodder to feed our animals, so that if our natural grazing land grows dry, at least we have the fodder that we can feed our animals."
He also urged livestock farmers at mountain cattle posts to harvest as much water as possible before the anticipated dry conditions.
The Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum, held in Namibia in August, forecast an increased likelihood of below-normal rainfall in Lesotho from October to December and above-average temperatures across most of the region.
In South Africa, Willem Landman, a meteorologist at the University of Pretoria, told a South African Weather Service briefing that the likelihood of below-normal rainfall in the country's summer rainfall region increases toward the core summer months.
"It's not a complete certainty that it will be dry, but there's very, very little chance it will be wet," he said.
Lesotho has experienced the effects of El Nino before.
In July 2024, the government declared a national food insecurity disaster after an El Nino-induced drought led to the country's lowest crop yields since the 2018/19 season. About 700,000 people were expected to face hunger in the following months, according to the United Nations.
The country also relies heavily on imports from South Africa, including maize, to meet domestic food demand, leaving it exposed to conditions across the border.
Reatile Elias, chief executive officer of Lesotho's Disaster Management Authority (DMA), said limited funding remained a challenge in responding to disasters.
"DMA does not always have funds readily available for imminent disasters, so in most cases we are unable to assist when disaster strikes," Elias said.
"When it occurs, we anticipate that its impact is going to be hard-hitting on well-known vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people living with disabilities," he said of the anticipated El Nino impacts.
A report by the Climate Impact Lab projects that heat linked to El Nino could cause 43 additional deaths in Lesotho between September 2026 and February 2027, compared with an average year, according to figures the lab provided in response to questions. The deaths are expected to be concentrated in January and February.
The figures are statistical estimates of excess deaths rather than counts of certified heat-related deaths. Emily Grover-Kopec, co-author of the report, said the model covers heat alone and cannot account for deaths linked to drought or food shortages.
"Our model does not include demographic data, so unfortunately we can't speak to who within the region are most at risk," she said, adding that the lab expects to update its projections monthly until El Nino ends.
Rammolenyane Lethaha, a forecaster at the Lesotho Meteorological Services, said health hazards such as waterborne diseases are usually anticipated during El Nino.
Health experts have urged the public to take precautions as temperatures rise. Mojakisane Ramafikeng, a physician, said hydration was the most important measure and advised residents to wear lightweight, long-sleeved clothing.
He also advised the use of sun hats, umbrellas and sunscreen, and urged families to keep children out of direct sunlight and look after the elderly to prevent heatstroke.
The Climate Impact Lab said heat-related deaths can be reduced through heat warnings, outreach to vulnerable people, cooling centers and hydration stations, protection for outdoor workers, stronger health systems and anticipatory financing that releases funds before disasters strike. ■